5th Battalion, Ghana Regiment

Last updated
Fifth Battalion
Active30 January 1961
CountryFlag of Ghana.svg  Ghana
BranchCoat of arms of Ghana Army.svg Army
Type Infantry
Part ofSouthern Command
Garrison/HQ Burma Camp
Patron Burma

The 5th Battalion, Ghana Regiment (also known as the 5th Infantry Battalion) is a unit of the Ghana Regiment of the Ghana Army.

Contents

History

The 5th Infantry Battalion has its origin from 5th West African Brigade Grouping during the Burma Campaign in 1941. In November 1942, it came under the 81st (West Africa) Division. [1] It concentrated in Nigeria Colony in April 1943 and moved to fight in the Burma campaign from July 1943 till February 1944. [2] It returned to the Gold Coast in autumn 1945, and was disbanded in July 1946. The unit was reformed after Independence at Tamale in Kamina Barracks on 30 January 1961 under British Army officer Lieutenant Colonel D. J. Cairns. He served until July 1961. [2]

The unit structure initially consisted of:

In 1963, the unit moved from Kamina Barracks and then to Accra (Arakan) in 1968, under the command of Major L. K. Kwaku. Kwame Nkrumah. In 1968, the unit was presented with the national and regimental colours by Joseph Arthur Ankrah, the then Head of State of Ghana. The four rifle companies organization were maintained during the National Redemption Council army until the latter part of 1980 when it reverted to the status of a three-rifled company battalion.

In June 2012, the battalion held a ceremony to decommission its old unit colours and consecrate new national and regimental colours. [1] [3]

Battle honours

The battalion has received battle honours, gained for its involvement in a number of conflicts including: [1]

Responsibilities

The battalion has the specific responsibility of ensuring the internal security of the Greater Accra Region, by assisting the civil authorities to maintain law and order. The Unit also provides assistance during periods of natural disaster in the Region. Instances of Unit involvement in maintaining security in the region include: [2]

Peacekeeping operations

The Unit contributed troops for a number of International Peace-Keeping Operations which included the following: [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 https://www.facebook.com/newsghana (2012-06-29). "Ghana Army?s Fifth Battalion of Infantry consecrates new colours | News Ghana". https://newsghana.com.gh . Retrieved 2023-06-18.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= and |website= (help)
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Ghana - Ministry for Defence". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  3. Dogbevi, Emmanuel (2012-06-28). "Ghana Army's Fifth Battalion of Infantry consecrates new colours". Ghana Business News. Retrieved 2023-06-18.