Kofi Ampeah Woode
A 45-member delegation from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), as part of their foreign study-tour of the Leadership in Strategic Studies Course, has visited the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), further enhancing the existing collaboration between the Ghanaian and Nigerian Armed Forces.
The Nigerian team, made up of 7 Generals (4 Majors and 3 Brigadiers), arrived in Ghana on Sunday 14 April 2024, visited GAFCSC, Otu Barracks, Teshie, on Wednesday 17 April 2024, called on the Commandant, GAFCSC – Major General (Maj Gen) Matthew Kweku Essien, and had a presentation done by GAFCSC on the topic: “Shaping Military Leadership Strategy and its Impact on State Cohesion”.
Addressing the delegation at the Hamidu Hall, prior to the presentation, General Essien introduced GAFCSC as a military training institution in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), an accredited Public University College widely recognized as an international Centre of Excellence, for military and academic pursuits, and inter-agency training.
He said GAFCSC has Students Exchange Programmes, and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian, Rwandan and South African Armed Forces, which enables GAF to exchange Directing Staff with the three countries’ Staff Colleges, to cross-fertilize ideas, and to create the needed platforms to facilitate smooth integration.
He continued that such exchanges include study tours, which provide a valuable opportunity for institutions to engage in cross–institutional discussions, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and mutual learning, among military personnel.
As a precursor to the lecture themed: “Shaping Military Leadership Strategy and its Impact on State Cohesion”, which was at the behest of the delegation, the Commandant said Military leadership strategy plays a crucial role in shaping the effectiveness and outcomes of a nation’s armed forces.
Maj Gen MK Essien further said, the way military leaders develop and execute their strategies, can have far-reaching consequences, not only in terms of military success, but also of the overall cohesion and stability of the state they serve.
The leader of the NARC delegation, and Executive Director of the Nigerian Army Consult – Maj Gen Abubakar Sadiq Ndalolo, stated that the aim of NARC’s Leadership in Strategic Studies Course, is to sharpen the skills of its participants, to enable them provide operational level support to the Nigerian Army.
General Ndalolo continued to say that the robust course curriculum covers broad thematic areas like military history, leadership, strategic development, policy formulation, the impact of military leadership on national security: of which he said the participants focus on dimensions of national security, and also pay attention to non-military aspects of national security.
He said the requirements of the course ensures that participants embark on local and foreign study tours, with the visit to GAFCSC themed: Appreciating the Relationship between Military Leadership, Strategy, and National Security.
Maj Gen AS Ndalolo said the age-long history between Ghana and Nigeria has facilitated strategic level collaboration and cooperation, which has enhanced joint collective commitment, in addressing common security challenges of the two countries, and has helped to have a stable situation in the West Africa sub-region.
Colonel (Col) William Kwabiah – Chief Instructor, Joint Service, GAFCSC, who delivered an expert presentation on the topic “Shaping Military Leadership Strategy and its Impact on State Cohesion”, had the Scope of his presentation as 1) elements of military strategy, 2) understanding state cohesion, 3) the impact of military leadership on state cohesion, and 4) practical applications and lessons.
Col Kwabiah further expounded on a) Impact of military leadership strategy on state cohesion; b) Role of military leadership standing as a cornerstone of national defence and cohesion; c) Navigating complex geopolitical landscapes; d) Anticipating threats; e) Orchestrating effective responses;
Others included f) States endeavouring to foster a sense of unity, purpose, and resilience among service members; and g) Cohesive military under capable leadership, serving as a bulwark against internal strife and external aggression.
ACTIVITIES OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY RESOURCE CENTRE
The NARC, established in November 2015, as the first Think-Tank institution of the Nigerian Army, carries out scholarly research into issues of Defence and Security, and provides diligence and empirical-based solutions, which has informed policy decisions at the strategic level in Nigeria.
Beyond carrying out scholarly research, the Centre also contributes to capacity development for Nigerian Army, personnel of sister-services and other security and intelligence agencies, in the areas of Language Proficiency, Strategic Development, Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Leadership in Strategic Studies.
NARC does not duplicate any of the programs of the National Defence College, the Command and Staff College, or any of the Nigerian Armed Forces training schools, but endeavours to bridge identified capacity gaps.
The Military Wing of GAFCSC has 2 Divisions – Senior and Junior – with the current Senior Command and Staff Course 45, which commenced on 25 September 2023 with 98 students, having 8 Nigerian Officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force, graduating in August 2024, with the award of a “pass staff college”, and a Master of Science in Defence and International Politics (MDIP) for academics, whiles 6 other Nigerian Officers are with the Junior Division.
Present at the activities included the Deputy Commandant, GAFCSC – Brig Gen Abass Seidu; Assistant Commandants, Senior and Junior Divisions – Air Commodore Nii Fio Okai, and Brig Gen Albert Kwadwo Dawohoso, respectively; Dean of Academic Affairs – Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso; Chief Coordinator – Col Maxwell Mantey; Chief Instructors, Directors, Senior Research Fellows, The Registrar, amongst many.
NARC Staff present were; Directing Staff – Maj Gen Abubakar Tarfa (Rtd), Maj Gen Kayode Ogundele (Rtd), Maj Gen Gabriel Ode (Rtd), Brig Gen Joshua Nimmyel; TRADOC – Brig Gen Victor Ita; Director, Human Resource – Brig Gen Abimbola Yussuph; Administrative Officer – Major Mustapha Abdullahi; Course Coordinator, Nigeria Defence Academy – Dr Grace Legbeti.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
