Nana Akufo-Addo says the processes leading to the grant of a Presidential Charter for the establishment of the National Defence University in Ghana, is at an advanced stage and scheduled to begin early next year.
This, the President said, is in furtherance of continued efforts towards enhancing the country’s military resource capabilities and preparedness.
The move comes after the recent establishment of a National College of Defence Studies and War College to prepare selected senior military officers and civilians, working with defence and national security establishments in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Ghana and allied African countries, for strategic-level command and staff appointments.
President Akufo-Addo made the announcement at the Graduation Parade for Regular Career Course Intake 62 and Short Service Commission/Special Duty Intake 60, on Friday, at the Ghana Military Academy in Accra.
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The National Defense University, he noted, has become increasingly necessary, because training for strategic-level appointments and staff responsibilities, was provided by partner countries abroad. “This limited the number of senior officers, who receive strategic training in the Armed Forces, due to the high cost of undertaking such training abroad,” the President explained.
The programme at the National College of Defence Studies aims to produce graduates imbued with leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to address Ghana and Africa’s complex security challenges.
Furthermore, the programme is intended to build capacity of selected senior officers’ ability to conduct scientific research in Military Science, Defence Studies, Strategic Studies, International Relations, and other related subjects, Akufo-Addo added.
The College will offer Masters and Doctoral programmes to officers and civilians working with the national security, defence establishments, Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Ghana and allied African countries.
Currently, Ghana is ranked the ninth largest troop contributing country by the United Nations in Peace Support Operations. Globally, Ghana is involved in fifteen peacekeeping missions, with a deployed strength of over 2,500 military personnel, with presence in Lebanon, South Sudan, Abyei in the Sudan, the Gambia, Guinea Bissau, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Cyprus, and the Central African Republic.
