The Artillery Training School at Akoefe, Volta Region, has held a joint closing ceremony for the Advance and Basic Gunners Course 1-2024, involving 56 all ranks, on Thursday 26 September 2024. 

The Guest of Honour, Commander Army Training Command, Brigadier General Stephen Woseadzikpo Kwaku Parbey, emphasised the importance of the Artillery Basic Course, stating that it provides the foundational knowledge and skills essential for a career as a gunner.

He further highlighted that the Advance Course builds on these basics, equipping participants with the expertise necessary for more demanding roles. The course prepared students individually and, more importantly, as teams to perform tasks as gunners while familiarising them with the core skills required to operate various weapon systems. 

Brigadier General Parbey praised the instructors for their hard work and dedication, assuring them that the Military Higher Command is implementing measures to address the challenges faced by the school. 

He also acknowledged the Commanding Officer of the 66 Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Jalali Din Ibrahim, for his significant support in ensuring the smooth running of the course. 

The Commanding Officer of the Artillery Training School, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Atuiri, commended the participants for completing the 12 weeks of rigorous and mentally challenging training, which aimed to achieve key objectives such as manhandling heavy weapons in transitional, offensive, and defensive phases of warfare.

Awards were presented to students who excelled in the courses. In the Basic Artillery Course category, Gunner (Gnr) Osei Owusu Foujour placed first, Gnr Agyemang Eugenia took second, and Gnr Ati Mercy secured third place. In the Gunners Advance Course category, Lieutenant Sandra Addo emerged first, followed by Lieutenant Abdul Jabal Mumuni in second, and Gnr Abangah Prosper in third place.