The General Officer Commanding Northern Command, Brigadier General Matthew Essien, on Monday, July 3, 2023, opened a Border Security Course for Sixty (60) military personnel.

The participants were selected from all ranks under the Northern Command and the Air Force Base at the Justice Opoku Hall, 6 Infantry Battalion in Kamina barracks, Tamale, Northern Region.

The three-week course, which is being facilitated by the 2nd Security Forces Assistance Brigade (2SFAB) of the US Army, is focusing on reconnaissance, standing and fighting patrols, land navigation, medical evacuation, and communication.

It is also aimed at improving the tactical and technical proficiency of troops in border security duties, updating participants’ knowledge in planning border security operations, training the participants in the reconnaissance, execution of border security operations, and also training trainers for the Command.

In his address, the Brigadier General reminded participants of the significance of skills enhancement.

"It's imperative as an Armed Forces to continue to train to acquire the requisite skills that will enable us in discharging our duties effectively, and also prepare troops in combating violent extremism and terrorist armed groups."

"Recent activities on our borders with Burkina Faso have resulted in a high number of immigrants into Ghana which also necessitated the running of the training programme", Brig. Gen. M. Essien indicated.

He urged participants to wholly commit to the course to ensure its success.

While touching on the value of the programme, the 2SFAB team leader, Captain Christian Mendez, said the programme was designed to continue enhancing capabilities and capacities to tackle the most dynamic and challenging security threats should they arise.

He was optimistic about the success of the programme with the overall intent towards the peace and security of Ghana.