A new Forward Operating Base (FOB), a secure military installation that helps with tactical operations in an area, has been constructed at Sandema in the Builsa North District of the Upper East Region.
This forms part of efforts by the leadership of Ghana’s security and intelligence agencies to secure the nation’s frontiers and deal decisively with extremism and terrorism, which has been drifting southwards towards the coast of West Africa, particularly from the Sahel.
They have also expressed readiness to enhance the country’s security to deal with internal security threats, such as tribal conflicts, chieftaincy, and land disputes.
The new FOB was established as part of the Ghana Army’s expansion drive to occupy ungoverned spaces in the Northern territories of Ghana prone to terrorist attacks.
The National Security Coordinator, Mr. Edward Asomani, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Oppong Peprah, the Director General of the National Intelligence Bureau, Mr. Nana Attobrah Quaicoe, and other senior officers of the Ghana Armed Forces visited the Sandema FOB to build confidence in the troops at the base.
Mr Asomani promised to support the Ghana Armed Forces with all that is needed to make the FOB more comfortable for the troops and expressed appreciation to the troops for their dedication.
He also pledged his preparedness to ensure that similar FOBs are replicated in other parts of the country and expressed appreciation to the contractor for the speed with which he completed the project. He indicated that the location is strategic in view of the threat the nation faces.
The construction of the Sandema FOB follows the construction and commissioning of other FOBs in parts of the country. Last year, another FOB was commissioned at Tilli in the Bawku Municipality. Early this year, another FOB was commissioned at Bui, with a plan to construct another at Obuasi in the Ashanti region.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Oppong Peprah, expressed his appreciation to the National Security Coordinator for the immense contribution from the Ministry of National Security. He assured the National Security Coordinator of the readiness of the Ghana Armed Forces to continue protecting the peace and security of the state.