Chief of Staff calls for military education to keep pace with emerging threats

Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Julius Debrah, has called for continuous investment in military education to prepare Ghana’s security personnel for evolving global threats.

Delivering the keynote address at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Mr. Debrah said modern security challenges demand officers who are equipped with strategic thinking, technological competence and strong ethical values.

He noted that warfare has evolved beyond conventional battlefields, with emerging threats such as cybercrime, artificial intelligence, terrorism, misinformation and hybrid conflicts requiring a new generation of military leaders.

“The next major battlefield may not feature tanks or fighter jets. It may feature networks, code and satellites,” Mr. Debrah said, stressing that military institutions must adapt their training to reflect the changing nature of global security.

He urged the Command and Staff College to continue modernising its curriculum to ensure graduates remain capable of responding to increasingly complex security challenges.

“No algorithm can replace honour. No satellite can replace integrity. No machine can substitute the moral judgement, courage and empathy embedded in military leadership,” he said.

Mr. Debrah described the College as a national asset that has, over five decades, produced officers who have gone on to serve Ghana and the wider West African region with distinction. He said the institution’s contribution to professional military education has strengthened national security and promoted regional cooperation.

According to him, the College must continue to embrace innovation while preserving the core values of discipline, integrity and service that define military leadership.

He also encouraged stronger collaboration between the College, academia, government agencies and international partners to expand research, improve strategic thinking and enhance policy development.

Mr. Debrah said Ghana’s investment in military education is an investment in national peace and stability, adding that well-trained officers are better positioned to respond to emerging security risks while safeguarding democratic governance.

As the College marks its golden jubilee, he challenged military leaders and graduating officers to remain committed to lifelong learning and professional excellence.

“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today,” he said, urging officers to embrace continuous education, innovation and ethical leadership as Ghana navigates an increasingly uncertain global security environment.