66 Artillery Regiment celebrates 60 years – Brigade Commander commends officers, soldiers for professionalism.
The 66 Artillery Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has launched its 60th anniversary celebration at the Volta Barracks in Ho amid funfair, the firing of 25-pounders (heavy guns), and a spectacular release of doves into the sky.
The event, which started last Friday (March 27), will continue until Sunday, April 19, this year, on the theme: “66@60: Six Decades of Dedicated Service”.
The unit was established in April 1966, at Medo Lines, Burma Camp in Accra, as the Medium Mortar Regiment, and relocated to Ho in 1968.
Activities marking the celebration include blood donation at the Ho Teaching Hospital, a clean-up exercise at the Ho Central Market, fun games, a grand durbar and all ranks dance and a thanksgiving service.
Solid foundation
The Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Selom Kwasi Amengor, who was the guest of honour at the launch, said the celebration bore testimony to history, sacrifice, professionalism and service to the nation.
“Today, we celebrate not simply the passage of time, but the resilience, dedication, and professionalism of generations of Gunners who have served this regiment and our nation with distinction,” he added.
Brigadier General Amengor acknowledged the valiant roles of past commanding officers, officers, regimental sergeant majors, and soldiers of the regiment, saying they laid the solid foundation upon which the current generation continued to build.
He urged the officers, soldiers, and the Ministry of Defence civilian staff to harness the anniversary to strengthen the regimental spirit, unity and professionalism, in the broader national interest.
“Younger Gunners should be highly motivated to learn the history and traditions of the regiment, while the seniors mentor and guide the next generation to become better artillerymen and women,” he entreated them.
Remarkable journey
The Commanding Officer of the 66 Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Jalali Din Ibrahim, said 60 years of existence represented a remarkable journey of service, sacrifice and commitment to the defence of the nation.
“The launch, therefore, sets the stage for a series of activities through which we will reflect our history, celebrate our achievements and honour the men and women who have contributed to the growth and success of this proud regiment,” he affirmed.
Since its establishment, the 66 Artillery Regiment had become an important component of the Ghana Army’s combat capability, he maintained.
Through discipline, rigorous training and operational dedication, generations of officers and soldiers had upheld the proud traditions of the artillery arm and ensured the regiment continued to stand ready to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ghana, Lt Col Ibrahim said.
A tree was planted at the regiment as part of activities marking the launch, which was followed by a float on the streets of the regional capital by personnel of the regiment and learners of the Volta Barracks Basic School.
