The Ghana Army emerged the Best Team at the end of the three-day Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) annual inter-service shooting competition at the Yawhima Military Range, near Sunyani, near Friday.

A media statement, signed by Warrant Officer (WO) II Brown Akpabi of the Three (3) Garrison Public Relations Detachment, said the Army received a trophy, certificate and cash of USD$1000.

He said it also received an additional GHC1000 donated by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Michael Samson-Oje, who was the Guest of Honour of the “Exercise Fireblast 2016”.

The statement said the Ghana Air Force was second and it also received a trophy, while the Ghana Navy placed third.

Sergeant Emmanuel Kofi Appiah of Ghana Army who was adjudged the over-all individual best male shooter earned a promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant in addition to receiving a plaque and cash of GHC1000 from the CDS.

The statement said Corporal Grace Yaa Opare, also of the Ghana Army, was adjudged the Over-all Best in the Female Division and she also got GHC1000 from the CDS plus a plaque and medals.

It said Air Marshall Samson-Oje acknowledged the tolerance, sportsmanship, dedication and professionalism exhibited by the three participating Services, saying, “By the general performance, the aims and objectives of the exercise have been achieved”.

The statement said the CDS noted that though  Ghana had been described as the oasis of peace and stability in the West African sub-region, the lingering Northern conflict, chieftaincy and land disputes, natural and man-made disasters, piracy, Fulani herdsmen, electoral security and other security-related issues posed security challenges to the army.

It said Air Marshall Samson-Oje urged all the ranks to continue to do their best towards the maintenance of peace and security despite the challenges, and also endeavour to “resist every temptation to dabble in activities for which the military is not constitutionally mandated”.

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Source: GNA