DEFENCE MINISTER REAFFIRMS GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO GHANA ARMED FORCES COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGE

The Minister for Defence, Honourable Dr (Med) Edward Omane Boamah, reaffirmed government’s support for advanced military education during a familiarisation visit to the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) in Teshie on Wednesday 23 July 2025. The visit highlighted GAFCSC's commitment to professional excellence and leadership development within the Ghana Armed Forces, among African Armed Forces and civilian population.

In his address, the Minister commended the Acting Commandant and military and academic faculties and other key staff for their dedicated leadership in managing the affairs of the Ghana Armed Forces. He also commended the Ghana Military Academy (GMA), the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and the National College of Defence Studies (NCDS) for their outstanding contributions to the training and development of officers of the Ghana Armed Forces and officers from other African countries.

Highlighting the need for enhanced infrastructure, the Minister assured the leadership that the government would utilise direct budget financing mechanisms, including the "Big Push" strategy, to meet the pressing infrastructural needs of the institution.

The Minister further pledged to sustain support for e-learning platforms to promote digital access to education and training resources. He urged instructors to not only impart professional skills but also focus on building character and integrity in officers, stressing that training the hearts and minds of officers is crucial to maintaining professionalism, national safety, stability and cohesion.

In a welcome address, the Acting Commandant of the College, Brigadier General Jackson Wonje, described GAFCSC as more than just a military institution, highlighting its pivotal role as the international face of the Ghana Armed Forces. He further noted that the College is firmly focused on shaping future military leaders and instilling core values of discipline. He stated that the College partners leading military institutions across Africa, a collaboration reflected in the diverse composition of the current Senior Command and Staff Course, which includes 30 officers from 15 African countries.

Brigadier General Wonje appealed for the Minister’s continued support in addressing key developmental needs, including the expansion of faculty offices, syndicate rooms, library facilities and IT infrastructure. He noted that such investments are vital for sustaining high training standards and ensuring operational readiness in the face of evolving security threats such as terrorism and transnational crime.

Colonel Joseph Kelvin Merdiemah, Director for Corporate Affairs at GAFCSC, also outlined the institution’s core academic programmes while appealing for enhanced government support to sustain and improve academic delivery.

He highlighted two key military training programmes run by the College: the Junior Staff Course, conducted twice annually (February to June and August to December), each spanning 20 weeks. In addition to the military award (jsc), participants earn a Postgraduate Diploma in Defence and Security. Additionally, the Senior Command and Staff Course, a 48-week programme held once a year from September to August, culminates in the award of either a Master of Science in Defence and International Politics or a Master of Science in Security Services.

Col. Merdiemah used the opportunity to appeal to the Minister for the payment of tuition fees for Ghanaian Military Officers, augmentation of the College’s academic staff, reconstruction of faculty offices, student accommodation and administrative facilities and the provision of serviceable vehicles to ensure smooth operations and effective training delivery.

The visit was also graced by the Deputy Minister for Defence, Honourable Ernest Brogya Gyenfi. The Chief Director for the Ministry of Defence, Mr Emmanuel Kartey, the Principal General Staff Officer, Brigadier General Ben Gah and other key staff officers also accompanied the Minister as part of his entourage.

By Lily Brenda Gadugah