Vice President and Chairperson of the Armed Forces Council, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has commended officers graduating from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), urging them to uphold integrity, professionalism, and foresight as they assume higher responsibilities in national and regional security.
She delivered the charge as Guest of Honor at the College’s joint graduation ceremony in Teshie, which saw the successful completion of the Senior Command and Staff Course 46 and affiliated postgraduate programmes.
The Vice President reaffirmed the government’s resolve to provide full support for the institution’s efforts. She praised the College for its reputation in addressing both internal and external security challenges and emphasised its role in enhancing cooperation among African nations through the participation of allied officers.
“The government remains unwavering in its commitment, under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, to support the College as it continues to deliver world-class training for national defense and security”
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
Professor Opoku-Agyemang also noted the College’s responsiveness to global trends, pointing to the introduction of new courses designed to address emerging threats such as terrorism and climate change.
She stressed that the evolving security environment required graduates to apply the strategic foresight and professional excellence instilled in them.
The 2025 graduation produced 97 officers from the Senior Command and Staff Course, including 67 from the Ghana Armed Forces and 30 allied officers representing 15 African countries.
In addition, 36 students graduated with a Master of Science in Defence and International Politics, while seven completed a Master of Science in Defence and Security Studies. The diverse participation underscored the College’s growing academic relevance to national and regional security governance.
In her address to the graduates, the Vice President acknowledged the sacrifices made by their families and communities and encouraged foreign students to maintain lasting bonds of friendship and cooperation with Ghana.
“I urge you to serve with integrity, professionalism, and foresight. I also extend best wishes to our foreign students for safe travels, and encourage all graduates to maintain the bonds of friendship and cooperation”
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
Report from the Commandant
Acting Commandant Brigadier General Jackson Wonje, in his report, highlighted the rigour of the programme, which covered command, staff, and leadership duties with a strong emphasis on joint, combined, and multi-agency operations.
He further disclosed that the course had maintained a balance between academic rigor and practical training, ensuring that graduates were equipped to handle modern security dynamics.
Brigadier General Wonje also announced the launch of the fifth edition of the African Journal of Defence, Security and Strategy. He described it as a credible platform for scholarly research and policy dialogue, noting that such academic contributions were vital to shaping security policies across Africa.
The Acting Commandant added that infrastructural upgrades, supported by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), were underway to transform the College into a modern, technology-driven centre of excellence.
He underscored the importance of international partnerships with allied institutions in enhancing the College’s reach and credibility.
The postgraduate degrees were formally conferred by the Acting President of the National Defence University, Air Vice Marshal Felix Adom Asante. Several outstanding students received awards for academic and professional excellence.
Major Fred Konadu emerged as the Overall Best Student, Squadron Leader Ogoina was recognised as the Best Allied Student, Major Badger won the Best Assistant Commandant’s Research Paper, while Lieutenant Colonel Chibbonta received the Everard Award.
The ceremony reflected the College’s central role in building leadership capacity for Ghana and other African countries.
With the presence of Ghana’s Vice President and top military officials, the event highlighted the importance the government continues to place on developing skilled officers to confront present and future security challenges.
