The Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Junior Staff Course (JSC) 85, has successfully concluded Exercise OMBUDSMAN, a week-long Internal Security and Counter Insurgency (IS/COIN) exercise conducted at the junior division of the college. The exercise formed part of the practical training package for the course and was aimed at enhancing students' competencies in operational planning, joint staff procedures, interagency coordination, crisis response, and strategic communication within complex urban security environments.
The climax of the exercise featured a simulated press conference where participants demonstrated their ability to manage high-pressure media engagements and respond to critical questions relating to internal security operations, operational accountability, civilian protection, and interagency cooperation. The exercise further exposed students to realistic contemporary security threats associated with terrorism, violent extremism, and urban instability, requiring participants to undertake intelligence assessments, coordinated response planning, and command-level decision-making.
In his closing address, the Commandant of GAFCSC Major General (Maj Gen)Jackson Wonje commended the students and participating security agencies for their professionalism, commitment, and teamwork throughout the exercise. He noted that the successful conduct of Exercise OMBUDSMAN reflected the importance of joint operations and interagency collaboration in addressing emerging security challenges within the contemporary operational environment. Maj Gen Wonje expressed satisfaction with the students' performance and their ability to apply lessons acquired during the course to realistic operational scenarios. The Commandant also urged the Chief Instructors and Directing Staff to continue their dedicated efforts in training, mentoring, and equipping students with the requisite knowledge and skills needed to effectively respond to contemporary security challenges.
As part of the closing ceremony, certificates were presented to external participants from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and the Narcotics Control Commission in recognition of their participation and contribution to the success of the exercise. Exercise OMBUDSMAN is expected to further strengthen cooperation among Ghana's security institutions while preparing future operational-level leaders to effectively respond to Internal Security and Counter Insurgency situations in urban environments.
By LAC Dakudji O Majorie