On Wednesday, 12 May 2026, the National College of Defence Studies (NCDS) held a matriculation ceremony for participants in Course 3-2026 at Burma Hall, Burma Camp.
Participants comprise 25 personnel drawn from the Ghana Armed Forces, allied sister security agencies from Nigeria, Rwanda, Namibia, Zambia and Malawi, and representatives from the National Security Secretariat, the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI), the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Office of the President.
Delivering the keynote address as Guest of Honour, the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Hon Julius Debrah, congratulated the participants on their selection for the College, describing it as a demonstration of the confidence reposed in them by their respective institutions.
He noted that the College seeks to equip participants with the skills needed to operate effectively as strategic leaders capable of addressing the complex challenges facing Ghana and the African continent. According to him, the programme is designed to enhance critical thinking and informed decision-making at the strategic level.
Hon Debrah further stated that, through experiential learning, seminars, high-profile visits, research work and syndicate discussions, the participants would acquire the leadership competencies needed to drive national transformation and societal development.
The President of the National Defence University (NDU), Air Vice Marshal Felix Adom Asante PhD, officially admitted the participants into the National College of Defence Studies under the powers vested in him as President of the University.
In his welcome address, the Commandant of NCDS, Major General Frederick Dankyi Ntiri, congratulated the participants on their nomination to the College and urged them to network, share ideas, and apply the knowledge they had acquired to address complex national issues at the strategic level.
He disclosed that the course, which will run for 48 weeks, will enable participants to earn a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies (MSS) and become Fellows of the National College of Defence Studies.
Major General Ntiri also noted that the College had successfully graduated two previous courses, though not without some encumbrances, and was steadily progressing with Course 3-2026.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong; representatives of the Service Chiefs; the Commandant of TRADOC, Rear Admiral Maxwell Arhen; Chief Defence Intelligence, Major General Stephen Kwaku Woseadzikpo Parbey; the President of NDU, Air Vice Marshal Felix Adom Asante PhD; senior serving and retired military officers; and members of the diplomatic corps.
