The Department of Religious Affairs (DRA) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has held an opening ceremony for its 2023 Chaplains and Imams Basic Course at the Garrison Methodist Presbyterian Church (GMPC) on Monday, 7 August 2023.

The course which spans for two weeks is under the theme ‘Challenges Faced While Providing Religious Support’ has 61 participants and purposed to help them to discharge their duties as Chaplains and Imams of GAF.

In his address, the Guest of Honour, Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration) of GAF Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Michael Appiah-Agyekum said that it was with great expectation and excitement to address and solidarize the impact of religion and ethical values on military leadership and followership. He mentioned that due to the contemporary challenges of modern welfare, GAF Chaplains and Imams must be trained efficiently and effectively to meet those challenges.

He added that the course is organised with the expertise of instructors from the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and seeks to prepare the chaplaincy on challenges faced while providing religious support and other associated roles and responsibilities as Staff Officers and command advisors.

He noted, the training process of the course is comprehensive as it touches on all major issues related to capacity building which is relevant to the effective development and implementation of prescribed policies in the field of administration.

AVM Appiah-Agyekum indicated that the training package will cover religious support, conflict management, traumatic event management and suicide management among others. He encouraged all participants to avail themselves fully for the training to add the needed value to their skills as they endeavour to administer troops and their families.

AVM Appiah-Agyekum on behalf of the Military High Command (MHC) expressed gratitude to AFRICOM and the US embassy for their continuous support to GAF over the years.

The Director General Religious Affairs, Commodore Paul Adjei-Djan in his remarks welcomed the course participants and thanked MHC for the approval and measures put in place to ensure the conduct of the course.

He mentioned that the course was a continuation of the already existing relationship between the US Army Africa and GAF to aid in the training of Chaplains and Imams. General Adjei-Djan was optimistic that participants will be equipped adequately and appropriately to be able to carry out their duties efficiently.