Kofi Ampeah Woode
Major General (Maj Gen) Bismarck Kwasi Onwona – Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), has handed over the reins of leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) as Commandant, to Maj Gen Matthew Kweku Essien.
At a handing/taking over (HTO) ceremony held at the offices of the Commandant, GAFCSC, on Tuesday April 16, 2024, and presided over by the Chief of Staff (COS), GAF – Maj Gen Joseph Prince Osei-Owusu, Maj Gen BK Onwona handed over command, a tenure he assumed from October 6, 2023.
He assumed command as COAS on Thursday 31 January 2024, howbeit with oversight of the military college, till Maj Gen MK Essien would complete his tour of duty as the General Officer Commanding, Northern Command, and was duly appointed the new Commandant, GAFCSC.
During his rather short stint as Commandant, GAFCSC, Maj Gen BK Onwona introduced the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) academic programme as a groundbreaking achievement for the military college, procured 130 new books for the college library to ensure access to latest information on peace support operations, international relations, and related topics.
His term also saw the installation of some e-resources, as well as nine (9) new air conditioner units, essential upgrades to the college’s library facilities, which fosters a comfortable and conducive environment for study and research, and to ensure efficient administration.
The college also demonstrated commitment to enhancing learning experience, by investing significantly into Information and Communication Technology, such as the upgrade of the server room, installation of LED screens, upgrade of audio-visual equipment at the various lecture halls, laying of Internet access fibre cables, and network infrastructure upgrade.
Additionally, 110 customized laptops were purchased for students, with more expected from the Ministry of Education, and the Defence Section of the British High Commission in Ghana.
Ongoing projects include the modernization of GAFCSC’s Main Entrance Gate, and the tiling of the Model Room, to be furnished to a state-of-the-art standard.
General Onwona is acclaimed for his humanness, inter-personal skills yet disciplined, and love to help.
Present at the HTO included the Deputy Commandant, GAFCSC – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Abass Seidu; Assistant Commandant, Senior Division – Air Commodore Nii Fio Okai; Assistant Commandant, Junior Division – Brig Gen Albert Dawohoso; Chief Coordinator – Colonel (Col) Maxwell Mantey, amongst many.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
