The Former Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Marshal Samson-Oje has acknowledged and commended the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo and the Minister of Defence for the speed and alacrity in which they provided over Thirty Four Million Dollars ($34m) to enable Command to address the outstanding Peace Keeping allowances of the Ghanaian troops.

This heartfelt commendation was made during his farewell parade held over the weekend at the forecourt of Burma Hall in Accra.

After 41years of military service to the nation and having been blessed to attain the very pinnacle of our cherished military profession, the moment has come for me to bid farewell to the Ghana Armed Forces. Air-Marshal Oje emphasized.

According to him, his career would not have been what it was, without the divine blessings of the good Lord Almighty and to him, he gives all glory and honour.

“I also owe a debt of gratitude to all my instructors, commanders and mentors who guided me in the teething years of my military career. Though I have lots to say, yet time wouldn’t permit me to mention names but all I can say is that I’m most grateful”. He noted.

As your Chief of the Defence Staff, he said, I am thankful to all and sundry especially my personal staff who have been phenomenal in supporting me and equally grateful to my Director General, Directors, the the General Headquarters staff and all the officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces for their loyalty and dedicated service as well as professionalism during my term of office.

“I believe any success that I achieved during my tenure as Chief of the Defence staff can be directly traced to the support I received from you”. He said

The former Chief of the Defence staff Air Marshal Samson-Oje disclosed that, the cordial and good working environment of his Headquarters would not have been possible without the skillful inputs of his Chief of Staff, Major General Sampson Adeti.

“My office could not have been so smooth if I had not enjoy the loyalty and support of the service Chiefs. I sincerely thank you all for your genuine and unquantifiable contributions to this journey, I am very appreciative of your efforts”. He acknowledged.

He also thanked the media immensely for their close collaboration and support during his term of office and also acknowledged support of the former IGP, Dr. John Kudalor as well as heads of all the other security agencies for their immense support.

He therefore congratulated the incoming Chief of the Defence Staff, Major General OB Akwa and the new Chief of the Army Staff, Major General William Ayamdo for their well-deserved appointments.

The Former Chief of the Defence Staff argued Commanders, Instructors, all officers and staffs of the Ghana Armed Forces to extend the same loyalty and support to his successor, Major General OB Akwa.

“He has been a friend and a colleague for quite a long while and I have no doubt that he will excel and continue to uphold the image of the Ghana Armed Forces. He will need your support, please support him as you supported me”. He added.

He therefore acknowledged his beautiful, loving, caring and understanding wife and children for their immeasurable contribution to his success and climaxed it all with a quote from an Ex-service man called General Douglas Mac Arthur that reads…

“Old Soldiers never die, they fade away and like the old Soldier that I am, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tries to do his duty as God gave him light to see that duty. Goodbye and God bless homeland Ghana”.

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By: Blessing Roselyn Boateng

 

Exclusively Newslinegh