UNITED KINGDOM ADVANCE COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE VISITS GAFCSC

A 43-member delegation from the United Kingdom (UK) Advance Command and Staff Course (ACSC), led by the Divisional Director, Captain Royal Navy Charlotte Yemm, paid a visit to the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) at Teshie.

The purpose of the visit was for the delegation to gather first-hand information on the history, national security policies, and doctrines of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in respect of training of high-level officers, especially at GAFCSC.

On arrival at the College, the leaders of the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Commandant GAFCSC, Major General (Maj Gen) Matthew Essien, at his office. Following this, the Chief Instructor Army Faculty, Colonel Samuel Nana Yaw Essel, gave an insightful presentation at the Hamidu Hall on themes of interest to the study tour.

Furthermore, issues pertaining to the development GAFCSC course curriculum, course packages, and training areas, possible collaboration between both military institutions, and the establishment of the National Defence University (NDU) were highlighted.

The Commandant, Maj. Gen. Essien, remarked that the visit was a significant step taken to strengthen the collaboration and partnership between both esteemed institutions. He spoke about modern threats to security across the globe, for which a collaborative security architecture would be required to address such security challenges.

Maj. Gen. Essien urged them in consideration to consider involving the African continent when initiatives are being taken. He reaffirmed the college’s commitment to fostering a network of modern professional military educationists committed to peace and security in the region and beyond.

Captain Royal Navy Charlotte Yemm, the Divisional Director of the ACSC, thanked the Commandant on behalf of the delegation for the warm welcome and the informative presentation. She reiterated that the Commandant's shared experience has further broadened their knowledge as professional military educators who understand global operations and the whole range of conflict resolution, from peacekeeping to combat.

"GAFCSC was in line with their thinking within the UK," she said, adding that the ACSC pledges to support the GAF and to equally learn from their experiences, hoping that the shared cooperation and partnership through GAF Alumni would continue to expand.

The UK ACSC's study tour confirmed that the collaboration between GAFCSC and ACSC has promoted knowledge and insight sharing, strengthening the foundations of bilateral relations between the two nations. The visit was successfully climaxed with an exchange of mementos by both parties.

By Akuamoah-Boateng Sarah