The Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) has held its 50th Anniversary Republic Day Lecture at Hamidu Hall, Otu Barracks, on Tuesday 1 July 2026 as part of activities marking the College's Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The lecture, which was chaired by the Former Resident Representative of ECOWAS in Liberia, Mrs Josephine Nkrumah, was held under the theme, "From the Sahel to the Gulf of Guinea: Violent Extremism and Maritime Insecurity in West Africa: Implications for Ghana and Regional Security." It provided a platform for strategic reflections on emerging security challenges confronting Ghana and the West African sub-region.
The Chief of the Defence Staff(CDS) Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) William Agyapong, on behalf of the Deputy Minister for Defence as the Guest of Honour, noted that the security landscape in West Africa has shifted significantly, with violent extremist groups in the Sahel becoming more adaptive and persistent while maritime criminal activities continue to threaten livelihoods and regional stability in the Gulf of Guinea. He stated that the convergence of violent extremism and maritime insecurity presents a complex and evolving challenge requiring coordinated regional responses. He therefore called for informed dialogue, enhanced collaboration, and innovative strategies to strengthen Ghana's security architecture. He urged participants to embrace strategic thinking, ethical leadership, and professional excellence in addressing emerging threats.
Delivering the first lecture, Professor (Prof) Kwesi Aning, Security Consultant, examined the growing threat of violent extremism in the Sahel, describing the region as the global epicentre of terrorism. Using developments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger as examples, he highlighted the increasing sophistication and expansion of extremist groups and noted that weak governance, political instability, and socio-economic challenges continue to fuel insecurity. He further cautioned that the consequences of the crisis extend beyond the Sahel, posing significant implications for regional stability and security in West Africa.
The second lecture was delivered by the former Chief of Naval Staff(CNS), Vice Admiral Issah Yakubu (Rtd), focused on the growing link between violent extremism in the Sahel and maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea. He noted that maritime crime in the region has evolved from simple sea robbery to sophisticated kidnapping-for-ransom operations, while the southward movement of extremist and criminal networks presents new challenges for coastal states. Vice Admiral Yakubu, therefore, called for stronger maritime governance, enhanced naval capabilities and deeper regional cooperation to safeguard Ghana's maritime interests and strengthen regional security.
On his part, Prof E. Kofi Abotsi on behalf of the One Ghana Movement called for the democratisation of security discourse and greater citizen participation in addressing regional security challenges, noting that security is a collective responsibility and not the preserve of state institutions alone.
As a mark of appreciation, plaques were presented to the Chairperson, Mrs Josephine Nkrumah, and the guest lecturers, Professor Kwesi Aning and Vice Admiral Issah Yakubu (Rtd), in recognition of their invaluable contributions to the success of the lecture and their distinguished service towards promoting informed dialogue on regional security issues. The Republic Day Lecture ended with a group photograph.
By LAC Dakudji O Majorie