Ghana’s version of War College, the National College of Defence Studies (NCDS), which will operate under the National Defence University (NDU), has commenced with nineteen students.
The students were drawn from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Military, Navy and Air Force -Ministry of Defence and National Security.
NCDS comes into force following a policy statement made by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during the 2022 West Africa Soldier’s Socialisation Activities (WASSA) at the General Headquarters of GAF.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Rear Admiral Seth Amoama, speaking at the maiden course of NCDS at Burma Camp on Friday, December 1, 2023 remarked that he was happy that his tenure has seen this vision, which has been in the womb of time materialising.
The theme of the maiden course: “Environment, Security and Development,” embodies the fundamental values and principles upon which this College is built to ameliorate the country’s security challenges.
“This unique and remarkable commencement of this institution stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing professional military education at the strategic level, a need that was sorely lacking for far too long to assist in proffering possible solutions to contemporary security challenges at the strategic level,” he said.
He remarked that, in the not-distant future, GAF will be granted a Presidential Charter for the establishment of the NDU.
The CDS explained that the university will be established on existing institutions of higher education within the Ghana Armed Forces: the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Ghana Military Academy (GMA), and NCDS.
According to him, the GAF established the NCDS to prepare selected senior military officers and civilians working with defence and national security establishments of Ministries, Defence and Agencies (MDAs) in Ghana and allied African countries for strategic-level leadership command and staff appointments.
“The programme of this College aims to produce graduates imbued with the leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to address Ghana and Africa’s complex security challenges.
It will also build the capacity of these selected senior officers’ ability to conduct scientific research in Military Science, Defence Studies, Strategic Studies, International Relations and related subjects. The College will initially offer a master’s degree to participants,” he emphasised.
It is worth noting that the NCDS is currently being mentored by GIMPA.
Commenting on the theme, he said, addressing the complex relationship between the environment and evolving security challenges is imperative for development, adding that the College aims to equip its students with the knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard the nation’s peace, security, and prosperity.
Rear Admiral Amoama also encouraged the management of the College to consider visiting other sister African countries that have started a similar version of the War College to make amendments.
The Commandant of the College, Major General Irvine Nii-Ayittey Aryeetey, added that the establishment of NCDS is a major milestone that signifies a new era of the country’s defence education and training.
He explained that the 19 participants comprise 12 Army officers, 3 from the Navy and 2 from the Air Force, as well as each from the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of National Security.
Maj. Gen. Irvine Nii-Ayittey Aryeetey stated that the course will take 41 weeks and is made up of four terms.
Term one will be tutorials beginning on January 9, 2024, and graduating in November 2024 with a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies and as fellows of the NCDS.
