GAFCSC LAUNCHES MAIDEN PUBLIC LECTURE

The Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) has launched its maiden Republic Day Public Lecture in partnership with One Ghana Movement. The lecture, themed "Reflections on Democratic Control Over the Military: A Way Forward for Sustainability", was held on Monday, 1 July 2024, at the Hamidu Hall in Teshie.

The event featured the Minister for Defence, Honorable (Hon) Dominic Nitiwul, as the chairman, former Minister for National Security, Mr Francis Poku Esq, as the principal speaker, Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah, and Professor Kwasi Aning as review lecturers. The lecture aimed to improve professional knowledge, leadership, and communication skills, and to strengthen Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC).

Hon Dominic Nitiwul emphasized the need for democratic oversight of the military, effective inter-agency coordination, and modernization of the military to ensure national security and development. He commended the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for its professionalism and stressed the need for its personnel to be employed in banks and state institutions after retirement.

The Commandant, GAFCSC, Major General (Maj Gen) Matthew Essien, expressed gratitude to the distinguished speakers for sharing their knowledge and insight on the Public Lecture. He also extended his heartfelt appreciation to One Ghana Movement for partnering and establishing an enduring working relationship to benefit GAF.

Maj Gen Essien mentioned that the lecture was to explore ways of democratic oversight of the military, strengthen and sustain them for the good of the nation and the people. He emphasized that the engagement would help reflect on crucial issues on how to build military effectiveness, operations, values, and principles to achieve sustainable peace and security and to exchange ideas that transcend disciplinary boundaries to inspire creative thinking.

In a PowerPoint presentation, the former Minister for National Security, Mr. Francis Poku Esq, mentioned that the emerging threats to national security, such as internal conflicts, corruption, youth unemployment, and maritime crimes, require effective inter-agency coordination and collaboration with other security services to curb these threats. He also highlighted that the democratic control of the military and the need for the rule of law are necessary to ensure human rights and security. He stated that the roles of the military are focused on peace and security, and he entreated the government to provide resources for the modernization of the military and also for the military to consider investing in agriculture and infrastructure growth to assist national development.