By Hannah Dadzie
The Chief of Owirenkyi Traditional Area, Assin Kushea, in the Central Region, Ahunabobrim Nana Prah Agyensaim VI, has underscored the significance of robust civilian-military relations to tackle security challenges in the country and beyond.
Speaking at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Junior Staff Course 80 at Teshie in Accra, Ahunabobrim Agyensaim said that in a world fraught with threats to peace, it is crucial to foster ideas on how to mitigate these threats, including terrorism and other natural disasters.
He therefore encouraged the military to maintain these relationships and also carry out their duties with professionalism and integrity.
Seventy-six officers successfully completed the Junior Staff Course 80, with 57 officers from Ghana, two from Liberia, 11 from Nigeria, three from Botswana, and two from Sierra Leone.
The comprehensive 19-week training equipped them with essential knowledge and skills for Junior Staff and middle-level appointments. During the course, officers conducted an environmental study tour in the Bono and Ahafo Regions to research into some existing developmental challenges, such as protecting forest reserves, combating illegal mining, and examining measures to curb smuggling and the impact of chieftaincy disputes.
Chief of Owirenkyi Traditional Area, Ahunabobrim Nana Prah Agyensaim VI, asked the graduands to be committed to problem solving and continue to maintain discipline, which has been their hallmark.
“This training is a crucial face in your professional growth. I urge you, as military professionals, to maintain proactive spurts, ready to confront and overcome any challenges that may arise. The Ghana armed forces play a key role in domestic security operations, often interacting with civilians entity. It is imperative therefore to understand the importance of robust civil and military relationships in solving security challenges,” Ahunabobrim Agyensaim VI noted.
Assistant Commandant Junior Division of GAF, Brigadier General Albert Kwadwo Dawohoso, encouraged the officers to apply the knowledge acquired effectively and efficiently in their duties.
“We are making sure that we are professional in whatever we do, and that has always been our hallmark. We exist for civilians, and so our relationship with civilians is something we cherish because, without them, we do not exist as Armed Forces. Indiscipline generally is something we do not want to condone. Wherever there is an act of indiscipline, we make sure that we install some level of discipline among ourselves, because without discipline, we cannot achieve anything. As the officers go, they are going as ambassadors of this school; they must be able to perform well to support their leaders so that together we will be able to achieve the objectives of the Armed Forces,” Brigadier General, Dawohoso said.
Outstanding graduands were recognised for their hard work, with Major Patrick Peprah Obuobi earning the titles of overall best student and Best Assistant Commandant’s Paper.
Major Patience Naa Ayorkor Badger secured the second-best student position, while Captain Courage Gbedzi claimed the third-best student title. The Best Allied Student accolade was awarded to Flt. Lt. David Dickson Dillimono from the Nigerian Air Force.