Parliament has approved legislation establishing the National Defence University (NDU), a move expected to transform military education and strengthen research, training and policy development in Ghana's defence and security sector.

The passage of the National Defence University Bill, 2026 creates a legal framework for bringing together key military training and academic institutions under a single degree-awarding university dedicated to defence and security studies.

The institution is expected to become a leading centre for professional military education, strategic research and capacity building, serving not only personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces but also civilian professionals working in security-related fields across Ghana and the wider African continent.

Degree-awarding status

Once operational, the university will offer programmes ranging from diploma and undergraduate studies to master's and doctoral degrees in areas related to defence, security, leadership, peacekeeping and strategic studies.

The establishment of the university marks the culmination of efforts spanning more than two decades to create a specialised higher education institution for the armed forces.

Over the years, institutions such as the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, the National College of Defence Studies and military health training institutions have run accredited postgraduate programmes under academic affiliation arrangements with established universities.

The new university is expected to end that dependence by enabling the military education system to operate under a unified institutional framework with the authority to award its own qualifications.

GTEC recommendation

The move follows an extensive assessment of the armed forces' academic programmes, infrastructure and institutional capacity by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

The review concluded that the proposed university had the capacity to function as an independent tertiary institution and recommended the grant of a Presidential Charter under the provisions of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).

The charter will empower the university to award certificates, diplomas and degrees for programmes accredited by GTEC.

Following the recommendation, the President directed the Ministry of Defence and the Military High Command to take the necessary steps to establish the institution in accordance with the law.

Enhancing national security

Presenting its report to the House, Parliament's Joint Committee described the proposed university as an important intervention in the country's efforts to strengthen defence and security education.

“The Joint Committee, having carefully considered the National Defence University Bill, 2026, is of the view that this Bill is a crucial step towards advancing tertiary education in the field of defence and security in Ghana,” the report stated.

The committee noted that the legislation would create a comprehensive framework for integrating existing military educational institutions into a single university structure.

“It provides a robust legal and administrative framework for consolidating existing military institutions into a world-class University. This will enhance national security and regional stability through research, capacity building and policy development,” the Committee said.

According to the committee, the university will preserve the specialised nature and discipline associated with military education while ensuring compliance with modern academic standards and governance requirements.

“The Joint Committee is satisfied that the Bill strikes an appropriate balance between preserving the unique character and discipline of military institutions while upholding the highest standards of academic excellence and governance,” the report added.

The passage of the Bill is expected to position Ghana as a major hub for defence and security education in West Africa while supporting the country's broader national security and human resource development objectives.