GAFCSC graduates 76 officers from Junior Staff Course 83

The Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) has graduated 76 officers under Junior Staff Course 83 after a 20-week training designed to sharpen their professional, analytical and leadership skills.

The graduating class was made up of 68 officers from the Ghana Armed Forces, alongside international participants — three from the Botswana Defence Forces, one from the Armed Forces of Liberia, and four from the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The Junior Staff Course is a foundational programme in military leadership and management that prepares mid-level officers for higher responsibilities in their respective services.

Ceremony

During the ceremony, which was held in Accra last Friday, Captain Timothy Kobina Oklu, was adjudged the Overall Best Student, with Captain Paul K. Dawaye and Captain Godfred Boakye placing second and third respectively.

The Best Allied Student Award went to Flight Lieutenant Kafayat O. Sanni from Nigeria, who also earned recognition for the Best Assistant Commandant’s Research Paper.

A former Assistant Commandant of the Junior Division at the College,  Brigadier General Mike N. Akpatsu (Rtd) described the ceremony as a significant milestone for the officers, noting that their training had equipped them with the requisite knowledge and skills to handle multi-dimensional security challenges both within and beyond their national borders.

Professionalism

Brigadier General Akpatsu, touching on the evolving global security landscape, urged the officers to remain vigilant, adaptable and committed to professionalism as future military leaders.

“The world is increasingly threatened by terrorism, ethnic conflicts, and both natural and human-induced disasters.

You must be ready to lead with integrity, discipline, and a commitment to the welfare of your troops,” he said.

He further commended the international graduates and thanked their respective governments for entrusting their training to Ghana.

He also acknowledged the collaboration from other Ghanaian state agencies, including the Police, Fire Service, Prisons, Customs and Immigration, for supporting the delivery of the course.

Brigadier General Akpatsu further applauded the commandant, assistant commandant and staff of the College for their dedication to maintaining high standards of professional military education.

“You are now ambassadors of this prestigious institution. Wherever you go, uphold its values and keep the flame of excellence burning,” he urged the graduates.