General Thomas Oppong-Peprah entered the Ghana Military Academy for basic military training in 1984. He graduated in 1986 as the Best Officer Cadet in the Order of Merit and was awarded the Military Cane. He was subsequently commissioned into the Armour Corps of the Ghana Army as a Second Lieutenant.
Since his commission, General Thomas Oppong-Peprah has undertaken several military courses commensurate with his rank. These include The combined/Joint Land Component Commander Course at the Army War College in the USA (2021), being the first and only Ghanaian military officer to have attended the course; Defence Studies at the Royal College of Defence Studies, London, United Kingdom (2010); Law of Combating Terrorism at the Defence Institute of International Legal Studies, Newport, Rhode Island; USA Army and Command Staff Course, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA (2000 – 2001); as well as the Senior Command and Staff Course at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Accra in 1998, where he was adjudged the Overall Best Officer on the Course in Order of Merit. He also did his Junior Command and Staff Course at the Command and Staff College, Kaduna, Nigeria (1997), and was adjudged the Best Foreign Student on the Course. Additionally, the General did his Armour Officer Basic Course at the US Army Armour School, Fort Knox, USA (1996).
Illustrious civil educational qualifications complement General Thomas OppongPeprah's military career. His commitment to continuous learning is evident in his academic achievements, which include a Master of Arts degree in International Security and Strategy from Kings’ College, London (2013 – 2014), an Executive Master of Business Administration degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Ghana, Legon (2006 – 2007), a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration from the University of Ghana (1999 – 2004), and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, GIMPA (1998).
Significant command and staff appointments across all levels of the military have marked General Thomas Oppong-Peprah's career. These appointments include Commanding Officer of both 64 Infantry Regiment (2002-2009) and the then Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment, now 153 Armoured Regiment (2004-2005), Director of Strategic Intelligence at the Defence Intelligence Department, General Headquarters (2009-2011), Director of Operations and Plans at the Defence Industries Department of the General Headquarters (2011-2013), Director, Army Training (2014 - 2016), Director, Army Peacekeeping Operations (February to June 2016), Chief Staff Officer, Army Headquarters (2016 - 2017), and General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Southern Command of the Ghana Army (2017-2018). He was also the Chief of Staff (COS) at the General Headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces between January 2019 and February 2020.
General Oppong-Peprah has also held some civil appointments, notably as Coordinator of State Transport Security (2001-2008). He was a member of the Governing Board of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO). Presently, he is a member of the National Security Council and the Armed Forces Council.
General Thomas Oppong-Peprah's dedication to peacekeeping is evident in his extensive international service. He has served as a Humanitarian Officer with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda (June – December 1994), a Military Observer with the United Nations Aouzou Strip Observer Group in Libya/Chad (March-May 1994), and a Staff Officer-in-charge of Transport and Plans with the United Nations Mission for The Referendum in the Western Sahara (1993). His service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as Detachment Second-In Command/Troop Leader on three occasions (1987, 1989, and 1992) further underscores his commitment to global peacekeeping.
He was the Chief of the Army Staff from March 2020 to January 2024, and later appointed the Chief of the Defence Staff on 1 February 2024, an appointment he has held till date.
Having exhibited irreproachable character throughout his career, the General was decorated with the Long Service and Efficiency Medal on 7 November 2002.
