The General Officer Commanding (GOC), Southern Command, Brigadier General Edward Awaribey, has officially opened Exercise Starlight Stretch III at Nkwanta, Oti Region, Ghana. This three-week initiative, commencing on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, represents a crucial strategic undertaking designed to bolster the Ghana Armed Forces’ capacity to proactively address escalating security challenges confronting the nation and its neighboring sub-regions. The exercise, a cornerstone of the Southern Command’s commitment to preparedness, is a significant development following a period of heightened geopolitical activity within the region. The GOC emphasized that Exercise Starlight Stretch has become a flagship training activity within the Army’s operational framework. Colonel Lawrence Seddoh Agbedoawu, Commanding Operations Officer at the Headquarters of the Southern Command, underscored the exercise’s importance, highlighting its multifaceted objectives. He explained that participating troops will undergo rigorous and realistic training encompassing a broad spectrum of internal security, counter-insurgency, countering violent extremism (CVE) and terrorism operations – a critical undertaking for national security. The training program is structured around progressively developing individual proficiency, small-unit competence, tactical decision-making, and combat team effectiveness through carefully crafted instruction, practical exercises, and realistic field scenarios. Colonel Agbedoawu stressed the imperative for participants to maintain unwavering focus throughout the exercise and strictly adhere to all safety protocols, including weapon handling procedures and stringent environmental protection measures. ‘Let this training sharpen your professional competence, strengthen teamwork, improve leadership at every level, and enhance your confidence in executing operational tasks under demanding conditions,’ he stated. Furthermore, the GOC expressed deep gratitude to the Army Headquarters, General Headquarters, the various formations and brigades of the Ghana Armed Forces, sister security agencies, and civil institutions for their invaluable support and collaborative efforts in facilitating this crucial exercise. He also conveyed the profound appreciation of the General Officer Commanding to the Municipal Chief Executive of the Nkwanta South Municipal Assembly for his substantial contribution, invaluable support, and cooperative assistance in the successful commencement and conduct of the exercise. Col Enoch Awudu, Lieutenant Colonel, formally described the exercise as a timely and strategically important training activity aimed at enhancing the preparedness of personnel to effectively respond to emerging security threats. He elaborated that the exercise was designed to assess and train participants in tactical operations at the combat team level, with particular emphasis on internal security and CVE/terrorism counter-insurgency. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Staff Officer Ibrahim Amidu, representing the Bureau of National Investigation, Assistant Commissioner of Police Asiedu Michael, Divisional Police Commander, Nkwanta South, Assistant Superintendent of Police Goxoxo Julius, District Police Commander, Nkwanta South, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Wilson Edward, Ghana Police Operations Officer, Nkwanta South. The exercise underscores the Southern Command’s dedication to proactively safeguarding national security and sovereignty.
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Source: Adom Online
