The Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) has held an induction religious service for participants of the Senior Command and Staff Course (SCSC) 48 at Hamidu Hall, Otu Barracks, Teshie, on Sunday 4 October 2026.
The service was held under the theme, "Service to God, Service to Country," which emphasised the importance of combining faith, professional responsibility, integrity and commitment in the discharge of national duties.
The Guest of Honour, Honourable (Hon) Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, urged the participants to view leadership as a responsibility to God, their respective countries and the people they had been entrusted to serve. She noted that the theme was particularly relevant because both faith and leadership requires integrity, compassion, discipline, humility and responsible exercise of authority. She encouraged the officers to lead by example, speak truthfully, accept responsibility for their mistakes, listen to others and remain guided by their values and conscience when faced with difficult decisions.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings further urged the participants to take their studies seriously, manage their time effectively and learn from the diverse experiences of colleagues from Ghana and allied countries. She noted that the increasingly complex and interconnected security challenges confronting nations required cooperation, trust and shared understanding. She also highlighted the relationship between environmental and national security, stressing that climate change, land degradation and water insecurity could contribute to instability and should therefore form part of long term security considerations. Using the biblical account of Gideon's army, she emphasised the importance of courage, alertness, discipline and effective training, noting that a small number of well trained soldiers could achieve more than a larger force lacking discipline and preparedness.
Delivering the homily, the Imam, Major (Maj ) M Alhassan urged the participants to regard service to the country as an Amana, or sacred trust, which must be discharged with sincerity, integrity, justice, discipline and responsibility. He cautioned against corruption, personal interest, abuse of authority, dishonesty, jealousy and envy, noting that such practices could undermine professionalism, teamwork and the effective discharge of national responsibilities. He reminded the officers that positions and responsibilities entrusted to them would ultimately be accounted for before Allah, and encouraged them to lead by example, embrace consultation and ensure that justice and compassion guided their decisions.
In the sermon, the Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) EE Arthur reminded the participants that their professional training should not cause them to neglect their relationship with God. He encouraged them to remain prayerful, read and meditate on the Word of God and draw strength from their faith throughout the course. He urged them to make discipline their watchword and adhere to the rules and regulations of the College, while also embracing teamwork and avoiding the pursuit of individual recognition at the expense of their colleagues. He prayed for God's guidance, protection and blessings for the participants and staff throughout the course.
By Cpl Dakudji O Majorie