Story: Nana Kofi Agyeman

Air Force Base Takoradi has honoured retired service personnel and Defence Civilian Staff in a send-off ceremony held at the Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers' Mess on Friday, 12 June 2026.

The retirees comprised 14 Warrant Officers of Course 1/1996 who are due for retirement after 30 years of dedicated service to the Ghana Armed Forces, as well as eight retired Defence Civilian Staff who contributed significantly to the growth and development of the Service.

Addressing the gathering as the Guest of Honour, the Base Commander, Air Force Base Takoradi, Air Commodore Eric Yirenkyi, commended the retirees for their unwavering commitment, professionalism and sacrifices throughout their careers. He noted that they entered the Service as young men and women with dreams and ambitions to serve their country and had, over the years, remained steadfast through rigorous training, operational deployments, administrative responsibilities and leadership appointments.

Air Commodore Yirenkyi stated that retirement should not be viewed as the end of the road but rather the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities to continue making meaningful contributions to their families, communities and the nation. He encouraged them to carry forward the discipline, resilience and determination that defined their military careers into their post-service lives. He expressed his profound gratitude to the retirees' families for their unwavering support, patience, and understanding throughout the years.  

In a welcome address, the Support Group Commander, Group Captain Ransford Odenkey Abbey, described three decades of service as a lifetime of duty, discipline, sacrifice and unwavering loyalty to God and country. He stated that the ceremony was organised to honour the retirees for their distinguished service to the Ghana Armed Forces and Air Force Base Takoradi in particular.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, the Base Warrant Officer, Air Force Base Takoradi, Senior Warrant Officer Class One Amankwah Daniel, expressed gratitude to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frempong and the Base Commander for recognising the efforts and contributions of Course 1/1996 and the retired Defence Civilian Staff.

As part of the ceremony, plaques, citations and undisclosed amounts were presented to all the retirees in recognition of their dedicated and selfless service to the nation.

The ceremony was attended by the Acting Flying Group Commander and Commanding Officer Air Traffic Management, Wing Commander Clara Oduro-Gyamfi, Commanding Officers of the various Wings, Officers, Airmen, Defence Civilian Staff and members of the Air Wives Organisation.