Kofi Ampeah Woode
Major General (Maj Gen) Matthew Kweku Essien has retired to civil life, after handing over as Commandant, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), to Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Jackson Wonje.
The transfer of authority and pulling-out traditional military ceremony took place on Friday 16 May 2025, at the military college, Otu Barracks, Teshie, Accra, with Air Vice Marshal Joshua Lartei Mensah-Larkai – Chief of Staff, General Headquarters, GAF, overseeing the process.
The occasion marked and reaffirmed GAFCSC’s unwavering commitment to its core mission of training GAF Officers and Allied Students from other African militaries, in command and staff duties.
Delivering his farewell address, Maj Gen Essien (Rtd) expressed deep appreciation to Ghana’s Military High Command, and the staff of GAFCSC for their steadfast support, as he reflected on his tenure, citing significant progress made in enhancing the college’s infrastructure and facilities.
He highlighted the substantial progress made in the overall advancement of the college, noting that his central focus had been on cultivating a culture of continuous improvement and academic excellence.
Maj Gen MK Essien (Rtd) conveyed his best wishes to his successor Brig Gen J Wonje, and expressed confidence in his ability to steer GAFCSC successfully, to advance the college’s mission, and stay committed to excellence, remain united in purpose, and never stop striving for the highest standards of military education and leadership.
During his tenure from Tuesday 16 April 2024, the much admired potent retired Army General, strived relentlessly with his team, to improve the infrastructure and facilities of GAFCSC, to create an environment conducive to learning, research, and effective administration.
Notable among his efforts were the improvements made to the Fletcher Mess, dining hall, and kitchen facilities, the renovations and upgrades to the auditoriums and syndicate rooms to enhance training, dialogue, and collaboration capacity.
He also prioritized the enhancement of Directing Staff offices, library, and research departments, recognizing their vital role in supporting academic excellence and intellectual development.
The library was modernized to facilitate extensive research and learning, while the research department has been strengthened to produce impactful scholarly work that benefits the armed forces.
GAFCSC also introduced advanced academic programs, such as the PhD and Postgraduate Degree and Diploma courses, elevating the academic profile of the College, fostering research and scholarly pursuits that contribute to sub-regional security and military strategy.
The overall development of the College compound has also been enhanced in serenity, ensuring a conducive environment for work, study, and leisure.
As part of the parting ceremony, Maj Gen Essien (Rtd) commissioned the renovated kitchen of the Fletcher Mess as his last major renovation project in the college, which was sponsored by Perla Mineral Water – a subsidiary of MULTIPAC COMPANY, whose General Manager – Mr Rabea Hassan Bourji, was present with many dignitaries to witness the ceremony.
