Southern Command of Ghana Army wins Exercise Thunderbolt 2026 at Sunyani

The Southern Command of the Ghana Army has emerged as the Overall Best Team at the 2026 Exercise Thunderbolt competition held at the Yawhima Shooting Range in the Bono Region.

The competition brought together teams from Southern Command, Northern Command, Central Command, Support Services Command, Army Special Operations Brigade, 15 Armoured Brigade, 17 Army Signal Brigade, 16 Artillery Brigade and 14 Engineer Brigade.

The four-day marksmanship exercise, which commenced on Monday, September 28, was held under the theme, “Building a combat ready Ghana Army through professionalism, teamwork and marksmanship.”

Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Koli Emmanuel was adjudged Best Male Firer, while Lance Bombardier (L/Bdr) Acheaw Francisca emerged Best Female Firer.

The closing ceremony was graced by the Bono Regional Minister, Lawyer Joseph Addae Akwaboa, the Ahafo Regional Minister, and heads of security agencies and their representatives in the Bono Region.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Commander, 15 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Mark Alo said the exercise sought to intensify weapon training and handling within the Ghana Army, exchange training ideas and foster cooperation and friendship among Commands and formations.

He told Kaakyire Kwasi Afari of Sunyani-based Ark fm that the event was to promote cooperative spirit and esprit de corps within the Army and encourage all ranks, especially young soldiers, to improve on their shooting skills.

Brig. Gen. Alo said the exercise will culminate in the selection of a formidable Ghana Army team capable of winning the Ghana Armed Forces marksmanship exercise, Fire Blast 2026, scheduled for the last week of November, during which the Army, Navy and Air Force will compete for the coveted trophy.

Brig. Gen. Alo noted that based on reports received, the objectives set for this year’s exercise have been largely met.

Touching on the evolving security environment, he observed that the landscape has fundamentally shifted from conventional engagements to a fluid, highly dynamic environment increasingly dictated by asymmetric threats.

Source: Kaakyire Kwasi Afari. Ark FM, Sunyani