By Adnan Adams Mohammed
The Chief of Staff, Hon. Dr. Julius Debrah, has lauded the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) for its foundational role in continental defense diplomacy and leadership as the institution officially commenced its landmark 50th-anniversary celebrations.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour at the golden jubilee launch at Hamidu Hall in Teshie, Dr. Debrah highlighted the college’s historic transition from a modest military training ground into a world-class citadel for strategic security studies, praising its five-decade legacy of producing elite command personnel across Africa.
The momentous event, held under the theme “Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence in Professional Military Education,” brought together an illustrious gathering of senior military officers, government officials, former Commandants, international alumni, and representatives of sister security agencies.
A milestone of strategic excellence
Reflecting on the college’s inception in 1976 with an initial intake of just 28 Ghanaian officers, the Commandant of the College, Major General Jackson Wunje, highlighted GAFCSC’s evolution into a world-class regional center of excellence.
Aligning with this vision, Dr. Julius Debrah emphasized that modern warfare demands adaptive training structures. He underscored the critical role of innovation in neutralizing contemporary security threats, such as terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organized crime, hybrid warfare, and cyber vulnerabilities.
“Investment in professional military education remains paramount to sustaining an effective and resilient security apparatus,” Dr. Debrah noted. He reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to expanding GAFCSC’s academic capabilities, commending its transition into advanced postgraduate training, which includes prestigious Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) programs in Defence, Security Studies, and International Politics.
Testimonials applaud Dr. Julius Debrah’s statesmanship
The anniversary launch also served as an avenue for high-ranking stakeholders and defense analysts to commend Dr. Julius Debrah for his exemplary leadership, nation-building vision, and distinct statesmanship. Leaders at the event praised his consistent ability to bridge governance with national security.
In a glowing testimonial during the event, a senior retired military commander remarked:
“Dr. Julius Debrah represents the finest fabric of Ghanaian statesmanship. His profound understanding of the relationship between national stable governance and military readiness is exactly what a nation needs to thrive in modern times. His presence here today underscores a rare political will that prioritizes state institutions over partisan politics.”
Keywords from a representative of the diplomatic corps and international alumni group added:
“What we see in Dr. Debrah is the embodiment of inclusive and visionary leadership. He doesn’t just applaud excellence; he actively advocates for the modernization of institutional infrastructure to meet global standards. His stewardship and collaborative approach across the political and security divides set a gold standard for statesmanship across West Africa.”
The 50th-anniversary celebrations are slated to feature an array of high-profile events throughout the year, including public lectures, a commemorative luncheon with past Commandants, health walks, and a grand graduation ceremony later in the year.
