The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has commissioned 163 new officers from the Regular Career Course Intake 63 to commence their professional military careers. 

The newly commissioned officers consist of 138 males and 25 females.

They comprised 110 army cadets, 28 navy cadets and 25 air force cadets, who completed an intensive 18-month military training programme designed for enlisted cadets with special qualifications.

They are professionals from tertiary institutions across the country. 

Training

During their training, the cadets were taken through foundational drills to instil military discipline and readiness in them.

That was followed by comprehensive lessons in map reading, topographical feature identification, and a series of navigational exercises aimed at honing their tactical movement and positioning skills.

The cadets also undertook range exercises involving various infantry weapons and received in-depth tactical instruction covering the Phases of War.

These lessons were capped with rigorous field training exercises that tested their ability to command a rifle platoon in conventional warfare scenarios.

In response to emerging security challenges, the course also incorporated Internal Security drills.

These were designed to equip officer cadets with the knowledge and practical skills required to plan and execute joint operations with civilian police units in managing internal security threats.

Awardees

During the graduation ceremony at the Ghana Military Academy, the Senior Under Officer, Mustapha Salim Danabja, received the Sword of Honour for being the Overall Best Cadet of the intake.

He also won the Leadership Award for demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities throughout the training period, as well as the Chief of the Army Staff Award.

The Military Cane Award went to Junior Under Officer, Nakobu Mohamme Abdul-Hamid, who was adjudged the Second Overall Best Cadet, while Junior Under Officer, Kwateng Michael Owusu, took home the Academic Cane award for placing third in the cumulative order of merit.

Commendation

President John Dramani Mahama, who was the reviewing officer at the ceremony, commended the cadets for the spectacular display, stating that it was a testament to the values of discipline, courage and dedication that defined the GAF.

“You have endured the outdoors, physical and intellectual training. You've overcome countless challenges and proved yourselves worthy of the presidential commission. It is worth admitting that the spectacular display you have put up this morning is evidence of the months of dedication and commitment to your training in the Ghana Military Academy,” he said.

He said he looked forward to the significant contributions they would make to the nation, the sub-region, the continent and the world.

President Mahama indicated that the sub-region was affected by the scourge of terrorism, with terrorist attacks close to the country’s northern border becoming a regular feature.

He said the situation required a comprehensive approach to state security, and that the active participation of all citizens could not be underestimated in the security and stability of the state.

As citizens, he said, they must recognise that the nature of contemporary threats that confronted the nation demanded that they did not perceive the security services as the exclusive institutions responsible for safety and security.

“I urge all citizens, in fulfilling this important complementary duty of helping to safeguard our security, not to act like the shepherd boy in the famous fable who cried 'wolf, wolf' when there was no wolf,” he said.

He urged the citizenry to support the security services and the GAF with information that was useful and intelligence that was helpful that would advance their work rather than retrogress it.

“Let me reiterate that we will take all allegations of crime seriously and trigger our security service investigative machinery to go after criminals, no matter who they are.

“But let me state emphatically also that we do not have the resources and time to engage in any game of smoke and mirrors,” President Mahama said.