The 64 Infantry Regiment in collaboration with the security and emergency service institutions of Ghana have conducted a 4-week Joint Counter Terrorism Interoperability Training (JCTIT), for over 200 security personnel drawn from the various security sectors across the country.
The training which started on January 19 and ended Friday, 14 February 2020 at the Asutuare Training Camp is aimed at harmonising the operations of the various Counter Terrorism Units, enhancing the capability of security services and also building the “spirit d’corps” among trainees.
Trainees who participated in the one-month event include officers of the Ghana Army, Police Service, Prisons Service, Immigration Service, Fire service and the Customs Division.
Other represented institutions include the Bureau of National Investigations, National Security and the National Ambulance Service.
Speaking at a closing ceremony to mark the end of the training, the Commanding Officer of the Asutuare Training Camp, Lt. Col. Fiifi Degbey, said the overall assessment of trainees performance during the period falls just a little bit under excellent, as the trainees from the beginning of their time at the camp exhibited a positive mindset towards their drills.
Over the four-week period, the trainees were taken through various drills such unarmed combat, weapon handling, helicopter rappelling, close quarter combat, combat medic and improvised explosive awareness.
Sharing his observations and recommendations with some institution heads and commanding officers, Lt. Col. Degbey said there is the need for the duration of such trainings to be extended to help trainees garner more benefits and skills.
He called for the need for the various institutions to conduct periodic medical assessment on their personals. He also entreated the agencies to have their officers undertake consistent physical training and to also introduce basic fitness test for their officers.
“Some trainees had various health issues or conditions which we must address because it will eventually affect the particular institution that is concerned.” He remarked.
He however noted that, whilst some packages of the training were initially limited to some specific agencies, the willingness and zeal of officers from other agencies compelled officials to open up such drills to all participants. Something he lauded the trainees for.
With Ghana surrounded by countries already feeling the effects of terror activities, security agencies over the years have been on high alert and have been devising strategies to counter the threats Ghana may likely face from terrorists.
The 4-week training at Asutuare forms part of activities to enhance the readiness of security services at neutralising possible terrorist threats.
