Nyaho Tamakloe Calls For A GAF Library

Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, a retired officer of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), has expressed displeasure about the non-availability of modern libraries for the various units of the GAF. This, he said, was necessary because GAF is gradually losing some vital information and history about its personnel and places. Describing the development as �very unfortunate�, Dr Tamakloe said �the non-availability of modern libraries limits the personnel�s sources of reference and knowledge, which are very critical to the efficiency of the profession.� Taking his turn to speak at the maiden homecoming event held at the First Infantry Battalion (1BN), Michel Camp, in the Kpone-Katamanso District for retired and serving officers in the GAF, Captain Dr Nyaho Tamakloe, who was also the former Board Chairman of Accra Hearts of Oak, observed that the GAF is gradually losing some huge vital information and history about its personnel and places. Memorable events and achievements of the institution are currently not documented, with some personnel who have enough knowledge about such issues either out of active service or dead, and therefore making such oral materials immediately unavailable. Dr Tamakloe thus used the occasion to call on the GAF to set up a modern library for its various units, where well-documented information about the institution would be available to young serving personnel to read and learn about their predecessors and the huge achievements of the GAF. He called on the 1BN to upgrade its Medical Reception Service (MRS) to a status that will provide services to neighbouring communities. Captain Dr Nyaho Tamakloe donated an autographed copy of his book titled �Never Say Die,� which, among others, recounts his life in the Ghana Armed Forces for the 1BN, where he also served as a medical personnel. The 1BN homecoming event was organised by Lieutenant Colonel Fred Ntiri, the Commanding Officer (CO) of the Unit, and in attendance were about 45 to 50 young and old officers who joined the GAF in the early 60s. The retired officers were unhappy that some of the �important and adventurous history� about the 1BN had been lost, with others distorted over time because there are no written documents on the place and events. They then appealed that urgent efforts are made to change the trend to make it possible for posterity to have access to past unadulterated information about life in the military. That, they said, would also serve as a guide to other serving officers, security services and institutions. The host CO, Lieutenant Colonel Ntiri, called on the media to express interest in their activities and partner with the GAF and all other state institutions suffering similar fate to document their history and achievements to prevent loss or misrepresentation of facts. The 1BN CO also highlighted the need for both past and serving officers who have knowledge on some of the historical events on the GAF to avail themselves to enrich and beef up the store of knowledge of the military. A former Commanding Officer, Colonel Ben Agudogo, used the occasion to advise young officers to aspire to greater heights and choose some of the retired personnel to mentor them to achieve their objectives. The homecoming event was also used to raise funds for projects such as the completion of a sports complex and a gymnasium, as well as an accommodation for young officers of the Unit.