Participants in Course 3-2026 of the National College of Defence Studies (NCDS) have successfully completed the Ghana phase of their Experiential Research Study (ERS), a key component of the College's strategic-level academic programme. The study formed part of the College's unique andragogical learning approach, which combines classroom instruction with practical fieldwork to deepen participants' understanding of complex national issues.
This year's ERS is conducted under the overarching course theme, "National Cohesion, Security and Sustainable Development." The study seeks to explore the interrelationships among these critical national priorities and to generate evidence-based recommendations to inform policy formulation and strategic decision-making. As part of the exercise, participants undertook fieldwork in the Ashanti and Volta Regions, engaging a broad range of stakeholders, including government officials, traditional authorities, security agencies, civil society organisations, community leaders and citizens.
The ERS is designed to provide participants with firsthand insights into governance, security, and development challenges from the perspectives of communities and institutions directly affected. Through interviews, observations, and interactions with relevant stakeholders, participants identified practical solutions grounded in local realities and experiences. This bottom-up approach enables the College to contribute meaningfully to the national discourse by ensuring that policy recommendations are informed by empirical evidence gathered in the field.
The Ghana ERS underscores NCDS's commitment to developing strategic leaders who can address complex security and development challenges through research, critical thinking and informed decision-making. By integrating academic rigour with real-world engagement, the College continues to strengthen its role as a centre of excellence for strategic leadership development in Ghana and beyond.
In the Volta Region, participants were in the South Dayi, Adaklu, Ho West and Agotime-Ziope Districts, whilst in the Ashanti Region, Effiduase, Mampong, Juaben and Ejisu municipalities were visited.
The preliminary recommendations derived from ERS Ghana will form the foundation for the ERS World to be undertaken in September 2026.
