By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |
Scores of people including pupils from basic schools and students from senior high schools (SHSs) from different parts of the Volta Region as well as the general public have gathered at the 66 Artillery Regiment in the capital, Ho for an Open Day celebration.
The event which started very early in the morning, attracted schools, especially SHSs from far and near who kept busing in student groups, mostly cadet corps till late in the afternoon for the annual experience.
The Armed Forces Open Day celebration which is held on March 7 every year, forms part of activities to mark Ghana’s Independence Day celebrations. The Day is essentially organised to display military equipment to the children, pupils, students and the general public to foster civil-military relations.
Patrons of Thursday’s event were conducted around the Regiment to see what was on display. There were also briefings on the history and evolution of the Regiment, military dressing and ranks among others.
The visitors to the barracks after receiving education on some weapons on display, had the opportunity to have a feel of them while volunteers from each group (crowd was conducted around in groups to manage the number and stress on the officers) fired from the 25-pounder.
Some patrons who spoke to Voltaonlinegh.com, expressed their excitement about the day and described it as a great experience they would love to have again with others referring to themselves as “one-day soldier”.
A teacher, Vivian Kokofi-Setor said until her experience at this year’s Open Day, she thought soldiers were the all too-serious people and the unfriedly ones among the other workers in the country.
“There are just like us the civilians. I interacted with some of them and they are so friendly. I believe because we only see them in their uniforms and we don’t interact with them often and that’s why we consider them strange.”
A student of EP University College, Agape Alorvor said her expectations for visiting the barracks were met.
“When I was coming, I was expecting to see the military and their weapons. When we came, they showed us their weapons and we learnt about them in terms of how to use them and we even had the chance to try one. Again, we learnt about how they dress for battle. Coming here has been a good thing for us because we learnt a lot.”
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
