The Ghana Armed Forces established the National College of Defence Studies (NCDS) in March 2023 to offer Strategic Courses for senior military officers of the rank of Colonel or equivalent and relevant national agencies of the same status. This establishment was based on the directive of the President of the Republic of Ghana, pursuant to section 29(1) of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (Act 1023).
The College is a Tri-Service Institution designed to impart skills in strategic leadership, contemporary management thought, concepts, and practices. It aims to lead effective decision-making, enlightened leadership, and efficient resource management in a knowledge-centric environment. The NCDS has been granted institutional and programme accreditations by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and is currently mentored by the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
Our Vision: To be the preferred destination in Africa and the world for nurturing strategic leaders to marshal the instruments of power to meet the security and developmental needs of their countries.
Our Mission: To prepare selected military officers, senior officers from other security agencies and government officials for strategic leadership and management roles.
The College is led by the Commandant, Maj Gen Fred Ntiri, supported by the Deputy Commandant, Maj Gen Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, and a dedicated team of Directing Staff, academic, and administrative faculty. The leadership is committed to upholding the college's motto of "Ingenuity and Strategy" and ensuring the delivery of high-quality professional military education at the strategic level.