The Ghana Regiment is an infantry regiment that forms the main fighting element of the Ghana Army (GA).
History
The regiment was formed in 1879 as the
Gold Coast Constabulary, from personnel of the Hausa Constabulary of Southern Nigeria, to perform internal security and police duties in the British colony of the Gold Coast. In this guise, the regiment earned its first battle honour as part of the Ashanti campaign.
The Gold Coast Constabulary was renamed in 1901 as the Gold Coast Regiment, following the foundation of the West African Frontier Force, under the direction of the Colonial Office of the British Government. The regiment raised a total of five for service during the First World War, all of which served during the East Africa campaign. During the Second World War, the regiment raised nine battalions, and saw action in Kenya's Northern Frontier District, Italian Somaliland, Ethiopia and Burma as part of the 82nd West African Division, the 24th Gold Coast Brigade,
In 1957, the Gold Coast became the first sub-Saharan nation to be granted independence from Great Britain. In 1959, the Gold Coast Military Forces, including the Gold Coast Regiment, were withdrawn from the Royal West African Frontier Force. With the country's change of name to Ghana, the regiment was renamed the Ghana Regiment.
Present form
Today, the regiment forms the bulk of the Ghanaian Army, with a total of six battalions, divided equally between the army's two
. As the army's main force, it is responsible for Ghanaian internal security and defence. Ghana also makes a large commitment to
peacekeeping operations in the region and overseas, most notably in
Sierra Leone and
Liberia, for which the Ghana Regiment provides the majority of personnel.
The Ghana Regiment follows the
British Army closely in kit, traditions and training, and are generally well-regarded by their Western European and North American peers whilst on UN deployments and joint-operations.
Battle honours
-
Ashantee 1873–18741, Ashanti 1900
-
The Great War
- (5 battalions): Narungombe, East Africa 1916–18, Kamina, Duala, Cameroons 1914–16
- Wal Garis, El Wak, Juba, Bulo Erillo, Gelib, Alessandra, Wadara, Abyssinia 1940–41, North Arakan, Kaladan, Tinma, Mayu Valley, Myohaung, Arakan Beaches, Kangaw, Taungup, Burma 1943–45
1. Awarded for service of Hausa Constabulary.
See also
-
President's Own Guard Regiment
-
81st (West Africa) Division
Alliances
