The National College of Defence Studies (NCDS) has successfully concluded its two-week Strategic Leadership Course 2–2026, held from Monday, March 9 to Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Arakan Officers’ Mess.
The course brought together 42 senior officers drawn from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), alongside personnel from the security services, with the aim of strengthening their leadership and strategic management capabilities.
Delivering the keynote address as Guest of Honour, Chief Dr. Dopi-Wura Awushi Abdul-Malik Seidu Zakaria, Managing Director of the National Investment Bank, commended the College for its sustained commitment to training senior-level managers. He noted that the intensive two-week programme was designed not merely to inform but to transform leaders, with a focus on ethical leadership, strategic communication, and emotional intelligence—key competencies required for operating effectively in multicultural and multinational environments.
He urged participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course to address complex and evolving challenges within their respective institutions. He further emphasized that the decisions of strategic leaders have far-reaching implications for organizational performance and national development.
Chief Zakaria also highlighted the importance of continuous engagement and informed decision-making, describing strategic leadership as a call to service that demands dialogue and access to accurate information. He encouraged participants to build strong professional networks, collaborate effectively, and prioritize the welfare of personnel as a critical component of successful leadership.
The Commandant of NCDS,Major General Frederick Dankyi Ntiri, expressed appreciation to the facilitators for their dedication and professionalism in delivering the programme. He advised participants to leverage the knowledge gained to solve real-world problems and to sustain collaboration through ongoing exchange of ideas.
At the end of the course, participants were awarded certificates in Strategic Leadership. The programme is specifically tailored for senior-level personnel who are unable to enroll in the College’s one-year course due to demanding professional schedules.
The closing ceremony of the course was attended by the President of the National Defence University, Air Vice Marshal Felix Asante; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Stephen Parbey; the Dean of NCDS, Professor John Akokpari; Senior Directing Staff; and other senior officers.
