Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia presenting a trophy to one of the officers
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has reiterated government’s commitment to continue to support the Ghana Armed Forces High Command and Staff College (GAFCSC).
The College has over the years carved a niche for itself as a center of excellence in Africa for the training of middle and senior level officers for command, staff and leadership roles in their respective armed forces and allied security institutions.
It also has a unique system of upholding regional and international connections at different levels.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Course 39 of the Staff College, on Thursday at Teshie, the Vice President indicated that “the 20 graduates from 9 sister African countries is a clear manifestation of the college’s international linkages.”
He appreciated the relevance of the experiential learning with respect to the Regional and African Study Tours scheduled as part of the course package and therefore appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to position themselves to host and support GAFCSC in pursuit of its mandate.
As the Chairman of the Armed Forces Council, Dr Bawumia said “my engagement on defence issues has brought to the fore, the relevance of these international linkages in responding to our defence and security matters.”
To the graduands, he had this to say “the ensuing period will see most of you elevated and appointed to positions of authority and influence, and 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,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to those who helped in making the course a success, especially the German Government and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre for their sponsorship, which ensured the accomplishment of the Combined Joint African Exercise (CJAX) 2018 which had observers from sister Command and Staff Colleges of some member states of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
“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. Thanks to the German Government for the sponsorship,” he stressed.
For the civilians who pursued the Master of Science in Defence and International Politics programme, he said, “you should regard yourselves as ambassadors of this renowned institution. Let the knowledge you have gained here be noticeable in your work places and in your life endeavours.”
“Be very diligent and let the tenets of loyalty, leadership, time management and the sense of responsibility instilled in you be evident in whatever you do,” he stated.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent