The National College of Defence Studies (NCDS) has graduated 26 participants from Course 2 2025 at a ceremony held on Friday 12 December 2025 at Burma Hall, Burma Camp.
The graduates comprised 20 officers drawn from the Army, Navy, Air Force; three participants from allied nations, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia and three female participants from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The course was themed “Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive and Transparent (SMART) Governance for Sustainable Development.”
Delivering the keynote address, the Guest of Honour and former Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), as well as former High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Vice Admiral Seth Amoama (Rtd), commended the College for its achievements despite significant challenges.
He noted that in its two years of existence, NCDS has successfully trained 45 participants through determination and hard work.
Vice Admiral Amoama (Rtd) described the establishment of the College as a strategic and cost effective initiative.
He explained that previously only a limited number of senior officers received training abroad in countries such as Nigeria, China and the United Kingdom, an arrangement he considered expensive and unsustainable.
He stressed that in an era marked by insecurity, persistent insurgencies, border threats and terrorism, the training of strategic leaders has become indispensable.
He further underscored the need for strategic thinking and leadership, explaining that contemporary security environments demand individuals who can think deeply, act decisively, anticipate change, analyse complex issues and provide proactive solutions.
Participants were awarded the Master of Arts in Strategic Studies (MSS), and the title of Fellow of the National College of Defence Studies (FNCDS) was conferred on them by the Deputy Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Ebenezer Adraku.
Special awards were given to outstanding graduates. The Major General Joseph Smith Award for Best in Strategic Leadership went to Colonel Agbeko. The Vice Admiral Seth Amoama Award was presented to Captain (Ghana Navy) Bamba, while the Presidential Award for Best Dissertation was won by Colonel Mohammed.
The Acting Commandant of NCDS, Brigadier General Frederick Dankyi Ntiri, appealed to the government for financial support, noting that the College is still in its infancy and faces substantial resource constraints.
Despite these challenges, he highlighted the institution’s success in graduating 45 students within two years. He also called for support from benevolent organisations to help the College secure a permanent structure.
Brigadier General Ntiri expressed his appreciation to Higher Command for their continued assistance and extended gratitude to the Deputy Minister of Defence, Hon Ernest Brogya Genfi; the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong; the Service Chiefs; senior officers; the Deputy Rector of GIMPA; and all invited guests for honouring the occasion.
A commemorative plaque was given to the first Commandant of the College, Major General Irvine Nii Ayitey Aryeetey (Rtd), for his meritorious service.
