By Christiana Afua Nyarko
Accra, March 23, GNA – Lieutenant General William Agyapong, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Ghana Armed Forces, Monday said reviving regimentation within the military is a critical step towards strengthening operational effectiveness and responding to emerging security threats.
Addressing participants at the opening of the General Headquarters Retreat 2026 in Accra, the CDS said discipline, adherence to standards, and respect for the chain of command remained the bedrock of the military profession.
The four-day retreat, from March 23-26, is being held in two phases at Burma Camp and Mampong-Akuapem.
It is on the theme: “Resetting the Ghana Armed Forces: Reviving Regimentation to Build Resilience, Foster Unity and Sustain a Professional Cohesive Force that Safeguards Sovereignty and Supports National Development.”
Lt. Gen Agyapong noted that the global and regional security environment was becoming increasingly complex, characterised by hybrid warfare, violent extremism, cyber threats, disinformation, and transnational organised crime.
“These evolving threats require the Ghana Armed Forces to remain proactive, disciplined, and forward-looking in order to maintain operational relevance and effectiveness,” he said.
Lt. Gen. Agyapong emphasised that reviving regimentation across all levels of the Armed Forces would reinforce core military values and enhance its ability to adapt and respond to contemporary security challenges.
The retreat is aimed at recalibrating the strategic posture of the GAF to ensure it remains capable, responsive, and align with national expectations.
The CDS highlighted the importance of strengthening inter-service cooperation among the Army, Navy and Air Force, noting the importance of unity of effort and coordinated planning to ensuring mission success.
He called for a deeper collaboration between the military and other state institutions, stressing that the National Security architecture must function as a cohesive system.
On innovation, Lt. Gen. Agyapong urged participants to embrace technology and evolving operational doctrines to effectively counter modern threats, adding that adaptability was the key to future military success.
He reiterated the role of the GAF in supporting national development, stating that beyond its core mandate of safeguarding sovereignty, the military also had a responsibility to contribute to economic growth through logistics, engineering and civil-military cooperation.
The CDS encouraged participants to move beyond identifying challenges to proposing practical and implementable solutions that would enhance discipline, cohesion and strategic direction within the Armed Forces.
He underscored the need to engage veterans to preserve institutional memory and strengthen morale across the ranks.
The event served as an opportunity to honour veterans through the donation of a new Toyota Hilux pick-up truck to the Veterans Administration, Ghana.
The retreat is expected to shape the future trajectory of the GAF and reaffirm its commitment to professionalism, unity and national service.
The General Headquarters Retreat is a high-level strategic meeting of the Ghana Armed Forces, bringing together senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force to deliberate on key operational, administrative and policy issues.
The concept of “regimentation,” which places emphasis on discipline, order, and strict adherence to military standards, has historically been central to the effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
The current retreat is, therefore, focused on re-hushing these principles while aligning them with modern security demands and national development priorities, including Government initiatives aimed at economic development and transformation.
The outcomes of the retreat are expected to inform policy direction, operational reforms, and institutional strengthening within the Ghana Armed Forces.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe