The Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) has held a Joint Graduation Ceremony for students of the Senior Command and Staff Course (SCSC) 47, Master of Science in Defence and International Politics (MDIP) and Master of Science in Security Studies (MSS) programmes at Hamidu Hall, Teshie, on Friday, 21 August 2026.
The ceremony marked the successful completion of the professional and academic programmes, designed to equip participants with the requisite knowledge, skills and competencies for effective leadership, command, staff and professional responsibilities. The graduating cohort comprised 123 students, including officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, allied African countries and students from the public and civil sectors.
The Guest of Honour and Minister for Defence, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, on behalf of the Vice President of Ghana, Her Excellency (HE) Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, congratulated the graduates and urged them to apply the knowledge and competencies acquired at the College with professionalism, integrity and dedication. He noted that Ghana and the West African sub-region continued to face complex security threats, including violent extremism, illicit arms trafficking, cybercrime, illegal mining, piracy and transborder crime, requiring stronger inter-agency and regional cooperation.
Hon. Adjei further emphasised the need for intelligence sharing and the adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digitalisation and cybersecurity, to enhance Ghana's preparedness to respond to evolving security challenges. He commended GAFCSC for continuously reviewing its curriculum to meet contemporary security demands and for expanding its academic programmes to strengthen professional military and strategic education.
The Commandant of GAFCSC, Major General (Maj Gen) Jackson Wonje, in his report, stated that the College has remained committed to maintaining its position as a centre of excellence in professional military education and strategic thinking, in keeping with its motto, "Alite Flammam, Keep the Flame Burning." He mentioned that the College's curriculum was anchored on the Core Passed Staff Course(PSC) Programme, Curriculum Enrichment Programmes and Academic Programmes, with emphasis on preparing officers for command, staff and leadership responsibilities in joint, combined and multi-agency operations.
Maj Gen J Wonje further highlighted the College's experiential learning initiatives, including the Africa Study Tour to Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia, which focused on "Africa's Defence Industrial Base: Constraints and Progress." He explained that the tour enhanced professional and diplomatic engagements, inter-military cooperation and knowledge exchange, while exposing participants to contemporary defence and security issues across the continent.
Major (Maj) Kingsley Kwame Kumi was adjudged the Honour Graduate and awarded the Chief of the Army Staff's Award. Lieutenant Commander(Lt Cdr) Prince Sebastian Okyere, who emerged as the Second Best Student, was honoured with the Chief of the Naval Staff's Award, while Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr) Peter Atta Yao Honyenuga, adjudged the Third Best Student, earned the Chief of the Air Staff's Award.
Sqn Ldr Amina Malik Sanda emerged as Best Allied Student, while Maj Bonface Marcus Banda was named Most Improved Student and Maj Sarah Ninson Mishio took the Everard Award. Maj Dorothy Adwoa Brakatu was honoured with the Commandant's Research Paper/Best Dissertation Award.
For the MDIP/MSS Class of 2026, Mr Foster Kwesi Asante emerged as Overall Best Student, Mr Gideon Odame Agyiri was presented with the Best Dissertation Award, while Mr Emmanuel Agyemang Boadu was recognised as the Philanthropic Contributor.
By Cpl Dakudji O Majorie