The Air Force Recruit Training School (AFRTS) has passed out 344 new Airmen on Friday 25 August 2023 at the Air Force Base, Takoradi. The passing out parade was an occasion filled with pride and excitement as families, friends, and loved ones joined the event, witnessing the culmination of six months of hard work and rigorous training.

Recruit Course 1/2023 made up of 124 females and 220 males after entertaining the crowd with an excellent drill display took the oath of attestation for their integration into the military as Airmen after the successful completion of training. 

The Guest of Honour, Air Commodore Godfried Sackey Parker, Commander Air Force Base Takoradi, who represented the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), AVM Frederick Asare Kwasi Bekoe, stated in his address that the CAS had followed with keen interest the various stages of the Recruit training.

He offered his heartfelt congratulations to them for their commitment, determination and resilience throughout the challenging journey which had brought them to a significant milestone in their military career. He iterated that, their vows and oath were not said in just, but demanded sacrifice and selfless dedication and he had no doubt that they had the skills, knowledge and character to achieve excellence in the discharge of their duty to the State.

Air Cdre Parker also congratulated the Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Newman S Naab, Officers, Instructors and Administrative Staff of AFRTS for their exceptional work in transforming the Recruits to Airmen.

Awards were given to those who performed creditably in the course of the training. Aircraftman Class II Baba-Zaah Vida emerged as the overall best recruit, displaying exceptional talent and dedication across multiple disciplines. Aircraftman Class II Baba-Zaah not only clinched the prestigious title of overall best recruit but also secured the honours for best in tactics and academics. She was presented with plaques, a refrigerator, an HP laptop, and a 32-inch samsung television sponsored by Enterprise Life Insurance and Services & Integrity Savings and Loan Bank.

The awards for best in drill and best in weapon and skill-at-arms went to Aircraftman Class II Kangah Frema Monica and Aircraftman Class II Gbafa Happy respectively. They both received plaques and 32 inch samsung televisions as prizes. Meanwhile, Aircraftman Class II Babainnewuur Francis's dedication to physical training earned him the top spot in the male category while Aircraftman Class II Ibrahim Rashidatu also clinched the same award in the female category. Their outstanding achievement in physical training emphasizes the importance of maintaining peak fitness levels. They were presented individually with plaques and 32-inch Samsung televisions. 

These commendable accomplishments are a testament to the rigorous training and mentorship provided by the Ghana Air Force, highlighting the effectiveness of their recruitment and training programmes. 

Some dignitaries who graced the occasion were, the Western Regional Minister, Honourable Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the former Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Edward Mantey (Rtd), Commander, Air Force Base Accra, Air Commodore Agyen-Frempong, Commander, Air Force Training Command, Air Commodore Mathias Awuah, Deputy Chief Staff Officer Logistics, Air Commodore Ben Offei, the Flag Officer Fleet (FOF), Western Naval Command, Commodore Samuel Ayelazono, the Commanding Officer, 2 Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel DN Bondah and Officers from Sister Security Services.