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A total of 256 newly trained officers have been commissioned into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to begin their professional military career after successfully completing the Regular Career Course 64 and the Service Commission and Special Duties Course 62 at the Ghana Military Academy and Training School.
They comprise 185 graduates from the Regular Career Course 64 and 71 from the Service Commission and Special Duties Course 62.
Of the total number, 54 officers were commissioned into the Ghana Air Force, 156 into the Ghana Army and 46 into the Ghana Navy.
At the graduation parade held in Accra yesterday, Peter Selorm Agyare was adjudged the Overall Best Officer Cadet for the Regular Career Course 64 and also received the Chief of the Army Staff Award.
The Chief of the Air Staff Award and the Best Shot Award were presented to Nii Ohene Tackie-Otoo , while the Chief of the Naval Staff Award and the Military Cane went to Alex Kojo Abayateye .
The Chief of the Defence Staff Award was won by Adams Saeed Ahmed, with the Best Drill Award going to Nehemiah Opata.
President John Dramani Mahama, who was the reviewing officer at the parade, described the ceremony as a powerful demonstration of discipline, professionalism and excellence which remained the hallmark of the Ghana Armed Forces.
He commended the military high command, the commandant and instructors of the Ghana Military Academy for their dedication and sacrifice in transforming civilians into officers ready to serve the Republic, noting that the precision and confidence displayed by the cadets reflected months of rigorous training.
Addressing the broader security situation, President Mahama said the security environment in the sub-region remained complicated and volatile, with violent extremism, terrorism and transnational crime posing serious threats, particularly along Ghana’s northern borders.
“Security cannot be seen as the sole responsibility of the Armed Forces and security agencies. It is a shared national duty,” he added, urging citizens, traditional authorities, civil society and government to work together to safeguard Ghana’s peace and stability.
The President announced that over the next three years, approximately 12,000 new personnel would be recruited nationwide to strengthen the Armed Forces, supported by the establishment of forward operating bases in strategic border areas to enhance border security and rapid response capabilities.
President Mahama reaffirmed the country’s long-standing commitment to international peace support operations, recalling that the country had participated in United Nations missions since 1960 and currently was serving in 15 missions worldwide under the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS.
He assured that transparency, fairness and merit would continue to guide the selection of personnel for peacekeeping missions and highlighted Ghana’s leadership in gender inclusion, noting that female participation in peacekeeping roles exceeded United Nations targets.
Touching on environmental security, the President reiterated the government’s resolve to combat illegal mining, describing the destruction of forests, rivers and farmlands as a threat to national stability.
He said security zones had been declared around forest reserves and river bodies, permanent military bases established and offenders arrested and prosecuted, with river bodies such as the Pra and Ankobra gradually recovering.
On welfare and logistics, President Mahama announced plans to acquire new helicopters to enhance the air mobility of the Ghana Air Force and restore MH-17 heavy-lift helicopters to service.
He also disclosed that construction had begun on 2,000 housing units for the GAF, marking the start of a broader plan to deliver 10,000 units over the next five years.
He acknowledged the challenges surrounding the payment of gratuities to retired officers under CI 129, assuring affected personnel that government would not renege on its responsibility and would work towards an acceptable resolution.
Addressing the newly commissioned officers, President Mahama reminded them that leadership was rooted in service and sacrifice, not privilege.
“Leadership is not about rank or privilege; it is about responsibility, service and sacrifice.
You are guardians of peace, justice and national unity,” he said.
He urged them to lead with integrity, courage and humility and to uphold democratic values and the rule of law.
