The Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Senior Command and Staff Course (SCSC) 47 delegation has undertaken a week-long Experiential Study Tour to Ethiopia from Monday, 11 May to Friday to 17 May 2026, under the theme, "Africa's Defence Industrial Base: Constraints and Progress."
The study tour forms part of the College's Experiential Learning Package, a core module of the Master of Science in Defence and International Politics and Master of Science in Security Studies programmes. The exercise was aimed at broadening participants' understanding of Africa's political, socio-economic, technological, and defence systems while identifying areas of cooperation between Ghana and selected African countries.
The Ethiopia delegation, led by the Chief Coordinator of GAFCSC, Colonel G. Oduro, commenced activities with a courtesy call on the Embassy of Ghana in Addis Ababa. The team was received by Ghana's Ambassador to Ethiopia, His Excellency Dr. Robert Afriyie, and the Defence Attaché, Brigadier General Richard Woanya. Discussions focused on Ghana's diplomatic relations, regional cooperation, peace and security, and the role of military leadership in promoting continental development. H.E. Dr. Afriyie encouraged participants to uphold discipline, professionalism, and hard work while supporting continental initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Standby Force.
As part of the tour, the delegation visited the Ethipian Defence Force ( EDF) Gafat Armament Engineering Industry where the team received detailed briefings from the General Manager and officials of the facility. Participants were also conducted around the manufacturing facilities to gain practical insight into Ethiopia's defence production capabilities and military industrial development. The team later paid another courtesy call on the Ghana Embassy in Ethiopia to further strengthen diplomatic engagement and cooperation.
The delegation further visited the Ethiopian Air Force Headquarters where the team toured the Ethiopian Air Force Academy, Flying School, and Aviation Department Maintenance Center, all co-located within the Headquarters. Day Four activities saw the delegation visiting the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, where participants received briefings on the Robotics and Automation Workshop, Modular Data Center, AI Start-up Center, and the Ethiopia 2030 Action Plan. The visit exposed participants to Ethiopia's growing investment in technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence as tools for national development and security enhancement.
The study tour was climaxed by a visit to the Adwa Victory Museum, where the delegation was taken through the historical significance of the Battle of Adwa and Ethiopia's resistance against colonial rule. The team received briefings on Emperor Menelik II, Empress Tayitu Betul, the role of the military generals and Ethiopian farmers during the battle, the 1889 Treaty of Wuchale, and the subsequent defeat of Italian forces which led to the Treaty of Addis in 1896 proclaiming Ethiopia as a sovereign state. The visit provided participants with valuable historical and strategic perspectives on African unity, resilience, and self-determination.
By LAC Dakudji O Majorie