The Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Junior Division, has concluded its 20-week Junior Staff Course (JSC) 83.

A graduation ceremony was held on Friday, June 20, at the Hamidu Hall, Otu Barracks.

The Junior Staff Course is designed to develop the leadership, analytical and communication capabilities of junior officers, equipping them to effectively carry out command and staff responsibilities.

It emphasises research and the comprehensive understanding of single-service, joint and combined operations, along with foundational knowledge in defence management, economic issues, and geopolitical dynamics.

The course was delivered in two terms, lasting 9 and 10 weeks respectively. The first term focused on establishing foundational knowledge, while the second term built upon and strengthened the concepts introduced in the initial phase.

The guest of honour, Brig Gen Mike Akpatsu, Jnr (Rtd), in his remarks, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Chairman of the Staff College Control Board for the honour bestowed upon him.

He noted that the graduation marked the end of 20 weeks of rigorous work and sleepless nights, making it a major milestone in the professional journeys of the graduating officers.

He highlighted the importance of the course in shaping their careers, reminding them that the world today is confronted with numerous challenges to peace and security.

These include terrorism, ethnic and religious conflicts, as well as natural, environmental and human-induced disasters, all of which continue to wreak havoc on humanity.

He encouraged the graduands to put the knowledge and skills they had acquired to good use in developing a deeper understanding of how to address and manage these diverse threats, whether man-made or natural.

Brig Gen Akpatsu also urged the graduands, as professionals, to remain vigilant and adequately prepared to confront the challenges ahead. He advised them, as future commanders, to be proactive and solution-oriented in training, administering, and ensuring the welfare of personnel.

The Acting Commandant of the College, Brig Gen JK Wonje, conferred the Junior Staff Course (JSC) qualification on the graduands and congratulated them for their hard work and perseverance throughout the course.

The graduands earned a Postgraduate Degree in Defence and Security Studies, which was conferred on them by the Acting President of the National Defence University, Air Vice Marshall Felix Adom Asante.

They were encouraged to uphold the College’s esteemed reputation wherever they serve by putting into practice the knowledge and skills acquired during their training.

Certificates were presented to the graduands, with Captain TK Oklu adjudged the Overall Best Student.

Flight Lieutenant KO Sanni received both the Best Allied Student Award and the Best Assistant Commandant’s Paper Award, while Squadron Leader KA Olagboye was honoured with the Everard Award.

Source: Ghana Armed Forces