An outstanding 393 recruits in total from the Army Recruit Mobile Training Team of the Ghana Armed Forces have passed out after a six-month intensive Basic Infantry Training Course (BITC 4/2023) at a colourful and exceptional ceremony.
Meanwhile, the ceremony was said to have been held at the Nutekpor Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) adjoining Sogakope in the Volta Region.
In addition to the aforementioned, it was noted that there were 78 females in the total number who met the basic criteria, such as medical and physical fitness, robustness, discipline, and mental well-being.
Also, Brigadier General Frank Nartey Tei, the Deputy Chief Staff Officer, Operations and Training, Army Headquarters, urged and asked the young military personnel to fulfill their obligations professionally and, above all, academically, proving to the entire nation that it was not only physical training but also, academically, that they were really sound.
With regard, he also urged them to cease acts of unauthorized and unlawful activities such as partisan politics, land guarding, especially the misuse of the Forces’ uniforms, and above all, the molesting of innocent civilians in the entire nation, or our country, Ghana.
He added strongly that they should and must remain focused on achieving excellent future expectations and career goals as long as they remain soldiers, which thus makes them professional personnel and, above all, gives them the respect of other people, such as civilians.
Interestingly, he paraphrased the wisest words: “After passing out, do not assume the struggle is over—quarterly basic fitness tests are still ahead of you. Do not think that passing out today marks the end of your struggle because there are career courses ahead,” said the officers on the ground.
Brig Gen. Nartey Tei, however, and also who was known to have reviewed the passing-out parade, reminded and cautioned the recruits not to bow to family dictates to accomplish any personal unlawful safeties since that would extinguish their career.
He noted once more strongly that “being a soldier does not place you above the laws of the country. In fact, as a soldier, you are more subservient to the law than a civilian. However, this is mainly because, besides the constitution of Ghana, you are bound by the Armed Forces Regulations.”He noted that he had given them lots of advice during the passing out that helped them a lot when they followed the regulations assigned to them.
Meanwhile, of the recruits that passed out, it was noted that 400 civilians, comprising 319 males and 81 females, reported for the training, with some withdrawing for various reasons that have not yet been disclosed.
In addition, the ‘BITC 4/23’ recruits went through basic but inclusive military training, including physical training, tactics, weapon training, drills, military law, map reading, field craft, first aid, and, most importantly, liberal education.
Excellently, Recruit Kissiweofo Cletus Awimbilla emerged as the Overall Best Recruit, and Ntere Evans was the Best in Academics.
Also, and loudly, Nartey Kevin Nii was the best in drill, Teye Lordina was the best female recruit and greatly best in voice procedure, Akurugu Abdul Karim was the best in physical training, Asante Jacqueline was the best in tactics, and Lettu Linda took the best in map reading.
Meanwhile, the rest were Wettey Portia, who had been the best in field craft; Kwakye Samuel, first aid; and Ghartey Emmanuel, who, however, won the CO’s Special Award.
With the aforementioned, it was noted that they received television sets, plaques, and certificates during the graduation.
Kobena Woyome, MP for South Tongu, was noted to be among the dignitaries who witnessed the ceremony.
