Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has lauded the Ghana Armed Forces High Command and the Control Board of Ghana
Armed Forces Command and Staff College for their crucial contribution to promoting peace and security on the African continent.

This contribution, which is reflected in the courses offered at the College to middle and senior level military officers as well as civilians, provides a unique opportunity for the students and graduates to foster linkages and information sharing among allied countries in the quest to ensure security, according to the Vice President.

Vice President Bawumia, who was Guest of Honour at the joint graduation ceremony of the Senior Division Course 39 and Msc. Defence & International Politics graduates of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College at the Otu Barracks, Teshie-Accra on Thursday said this has placed the college in a unique position as a centre of learning in Africa.

“The Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College continues to carve a niche for itself as a center of excellence in Africa, for the training of officers for command, staff and leadership roles in their various Armed Forces and Allied Security Institutions.

“I have observed that the College has a unique system of upholding regional and international connections at different levels. The 20 graduates from nine sister African countries is a clear manifestation of these international linkages.

“As the Chairman of the Armed Forces Council, my engagement on defence issues has brought to the fore, the relevance of these international linkages in responding to our defence and security issues,” Dr Bawumia indicated.

“I am reliably informed that the vacancies for the next course i.e. (Course 40) have about 30 officers from 14 African countries. That is a remarkable feat and I commend the Commandant and his staff for the good job they are doing.”

In all, 58 granduants received either the Pass Staff College (PSC) symbol and/or a Master of Science in Defence and International Politics (MDIP) after 11 and 18 months of study respectively as part of the Senior Command and Staff Course 39 and the Weekend MDIP Batch 3.

This year, and for the first time, the Combined Joint African Exercise (CJAX) 2018 was conducted with observers from sister Command and Staff Colleges of some member states of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), under the sponsorship of the German Government and in collaboration with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre.

“This is a healthy development as we try to share ideas and experiences with other regional blocs in order to synchronize our interoperability in the face of numerous conflicts on the African continent,” Dr Bawumia stated.

Alluding to the occasional flare-up of tensions between the Ghana Police and their military counterparts, Vice President Bawumia commended the Staff College Control Board for rolling out programmes specifically targeted at conflict prevention, management and resolution.

“My understanding is that the Defence Management and Conflict and Crises Management Modular Courses organized by the College brings together senior police officers to join their military counterparts in the College. This is the unique platform to build consensus and then lead the effort to harmonize cohesion between the two institutions, as you go out there to the field as commanders,” the Vice President pointed out, adding that the bonds formed at the GAFCSC should transcend the classroom.

“The acquaintances and networks generated here in GAFCSC are fundamental in engaging your course mates on matters of national and international strategic significance. Trust me, maintaining and sustaining these cordial relationships at both the personal and professional levels will largely enhance your career accomplishments.”

The Commandant of the Staff College, Rear Admiral Seth Amoama, urged the graduants to apply the lessons learnt to improve their various units and workplaces.

“As you step out of this noble institution and return to your respective places of work in Ghana and abroad, remember the qualities of leadership that you have learnt over the period.

“Do not forget the values of Loyalty, Accountability and the supreme quality of leadership: Integrity. With these values, you will earn the trust and commitment of the people you work with."