By Niibi Benjamin Martey Botchway/Christiana Afua Nyarko, GNA
Accra, Oct. 3, GNA – Lieutenant General William Agyapong, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), has urged senior military leaders to continuously review their strategies, policies and operational approaches to respond effectively to Ghana’s increasingly complex security environment.
He said the evolving nature of modern warfare demanded stronger integrated planning, coordinated execution and shared strategic thinking among the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Lt Gen Agyapong made the call at the opening of the maiden Ghana Armed Forces Generals’ Convention on Tuesday, held on the theme: “Adaptive Leadership in a Complex Security Environment: The Role of Generals in Shaping Ghana’s Future.”
He explained that the convention was intended to provide a platform for reflection, professional dialogue and the exchange of experiences, enabling senior officers to assess whether existing policies, regulations and strategic approaches remained fit for purpose.
The CDS said while military experience remained a vital institutional asset, it must be reinforced by continuous learning, adaptation and critical reflection.
He, therefore, encouraged participants to challenge ideas constructively, share experiences openly and approach discussions with humility, stressing that effective leadership required a willingness to learn from others.
Lt. Gen. Agyapong noted that contemporary security challenges no longer permitted purely single-service solutions, making interoperability and a common strategic vision essential for the Armed Forces.
He said deliberations during the convention would focus on intelligence and classified information management, military justice, retirement and release procedures, ethical leadership, command experiences and the management of the modern military.
The goal, he said, was to ensure the GAF remained professional, combat-ready, innovative and responsive to Ghana’s security needs while upholding the values of honour, integrity, discipline and selfless service.
Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, Chief of the Naval Staff, described the convention as the first of its kind in the GAF, noting that it reflected the military leadership’s recognition of the need to bring together generals, who form a critical part of the Armed Forces’ decision-making structure.
He said changing security dynamics meant the GAF could no longer rely on traditional approaches, stressing the need for the Army, Navy and Air Force to plan and operate jointly.
“We need to strategise in accordance with the changing military environment,” he said, adding that the convention was designed to deepen jointness in military operations.
Rear Admiral Bessing expressed optimism that the forum would help senior officers develop a shared understanding, strengthen leadership and enhance operational readiness to execute tasks assigned by the Commander-in-Chief.
Addressing concerns about terrorism, he cautioned that Ghana could not consider itself insulated from the spread of violent extremism from the Sahel.
He revealed that the GAF had established Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the northern sector to strengthen border security and was also developing electronic warfare capabilities in the area to improve surveillance and intelligence gathering.
These measures come amid growing insecurity in countries neighbouring Ghana. The Government has been expanding FOB infrastructure along the northern borders, with the 2026 defence budget making provisions for additional facilities and security projects.
In July 2026, the GAF assessed land at Saanzie and Kpalong in the Savelugu District for proposed military installations, including a 174 Electronic Warfare Regiment, underscoring the increasing role of technology, surveillance and information systems in national defence.
Brigadier General William Adarkwa Kwabiah, Director-General of Training at GAF Headquarters, said the convention was expected to strengthen cohesion among senior officers serving in various commands and appointments.
He noted that it provided a valuable opportunity for officers in operational and staff roles to interact and collectively examine contemporary security challenges facing the country.
Brig Gen Kwabiah highlighted the importance of engagement between the military and civilian stakeholders, stressing that the Armed Forces operate within a civilian environment and must understand perspectives outside the military to ensure alignment with national priorities.
Air Commodore Sophia Adzo Jiagge, Chief Staff Officer at Air Force Headquarters, said periodic engagements involving all three services were essential for the GAF to function effectively as a unified force.
She expressed hope that the convention would generate practical recommendations to enhance professionalism, teamwork, performance and esprit de corps across the Armed Forces.
The convention comes as Ghana intensifies efforts to strengthen military preparedness in response to evolving threats across West Africa, particularly violent extremism and transnational crime linked to the Sahel region.
As part of this effort, the GAF has increased its focus on joint training, border surveillance, inter-agency collaboration and capabilities across land, maritime, air, cyber and information domains.
The military recently conducted Exercise Resolute Synergy 2026, a joint tabletop exercise aimed at assessing its readiness to respond simultaneously to threats across multiple operational domains.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Benjamin Niibi Martey Botchway/ Christiana Afua Nyarko
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