The German Armed Forces Technical Advisory Group (GAFTAG) with the support of the Department of Plans, Research and Development and the Provost Marshal of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have completed and handed over a facility to the 11 Mechanised Battalion (11 Mech Bn) at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

The facility has 4 Dog Kennels, a store room, a washroom, a kitchen and a restroom. GAFTAG also handed over a new vehicle to aid the 11 Mechanised Dog Team in their duties.

The facility which was completed in February 2023, was commissioned by the Commandant
Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Maj Gen RA Gyane assisted by the General Officer Commanding Northern Command, Brig Gen M Essien and the Head of Mission GAFTAG, Lt Col B Frei on Friday 17 February 2023 in Bolgatanga.

The handing-over ceremony was followed by two demonstrations by three dog handlers, Private
Arthur Maxwell, Private Nkansah Obed and Private Asumado Philip on the capabilities of their
Military Working Dogs.

The first demonstration was the detection of a C4 explosive substance, which was hidden in some bags. The second demonstration was the detection of a weapon that had been fired and hidden in the bushes. The dogs were able to identify the explosive substance
and the weapons.

The three handlers from 11 Mech Bn were trained at the Ghana National Dog Academy with their assigned dogs.

They have since returned to their Unit to begin operations in the 11 Mech Area of Responsibility with the dogs. Additionally, three persons from 10 Mech Bn are currently undergoing training at the Ghana National Dog Academy.

The training will end in December 2023 after which they will return to their Unit to begin operations in the 10 Mech Bn Area of Responsibility