Accra, Dec. 16, GNA – The Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, on Thursday graduated 60 officers under the Junior Division (Junior Staff Course 76), with a call on them to always uphold diligence and commitment to duty.
The Junior Staff Course 76 commenced in August 2021, spanning 21 weeks of rigorous training covering various fields of studies such as communication skills, professional development and general studies.
The course also entailed subjects including leadership, terrorism, geopolitics and peace operations.
The Junior Staff Course 76 was made up of 60 students from various professions comprising 44 officers from the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Navy and the Ghana Air force.
Sixteen of the officers were from the Armed Forces of the Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Brigadier General Albert K. Dawohoso, Assistant Commandant, Ghana Armed Forces Command College (Junior Division), speaking at the graduation ceremony, called on the officers to remain diligent as exuded in the course and not to relent on their commitment to duty.
He said the Junior Division of the College was aimed at training selected officers to perform staff functions by developing their leadership, analytical and communication skills while providing the foundation for their subsequent career development.
In view of that, he noted that it was only students who were able to prove their ability and meet the course standards that were awarded the symbol JSC.
He said the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic required that the College found a safe and innovative means of instruction to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Brigadier General Dawohoso said the Division experienced severe challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the duration of the course saw the students strictly adhering to protocols, stressing that despite the challenges, which necessitated alterations in the programme, the course was successfully organised.
He said, as part of the course, a tour was embarked on to the Oti Region requiring students to conduct researches into some of the existing challenges in the development of the region focusing on five thematic areas.
The areas are enhancing regional security, preventing infiltration of extremists, groups in Ghana through the Oti Region, curbing teenage pregnancy, harnessing tourism potential for the socio-economic development of the Oti Region, reducing the impact of flood on Agriculture and food security and preventing cross border crime and its implications on the region.
He indicated that the selection of the teams was done in consultation with the Ministry of Local Government, saying the students had produced a comprehensive report to be forwarded to the military high command for the appropriate measures.
Brigadier general M. N. Akpatsu Jnr (RTD), a past Assistant Commandant of the Junior Division of the College, who was the guest of honour, applauded the officers for their commitment throughout the course despite vagaries of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He expressed optimism that with the instructions received, the officers would better appreciate and effectively manage the multi-dimensional challenges, which they were expected to face in their career and line of duty.
Major Isaac Annor was awarded the overall best student for Junior Staff 76. He received a plague, book and tablet for his stellar academic performance through out the course.
GNA