Graduating officers of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) have been challenged to broaden their understanding of national security and prepare for emerging threats that extend beyond conventional warfare.
Businessman and Founder of Svani Group, Mr Thomas Svanikier, said the rapidly changing global security environment required military leaders to anticipate crises and develop workable contingency plans before unexpected threats occurred.
He made the call in Accra on Sunday as Guest of Honour at the 50th Anniversary Thanksgiving and Graduation Religious Service of GAFCSC.
Mr Svanikier said military and national institutions could no longer focus exclusively on traditional security threats, as countries were increasingly exposed to cyber-attacks, floods, epidemics, earthquakes and other emergencies.
He urged the graduating officers to adopt a forward-looking approach to command by constantly asking what could happen if normal systems failed and preparing alternative arrangements to maintain operations.
According to him, contingency plans must not remain on paper but should be regularly tested through rehearsals and simulations to ensure that institutions could respond effectively when crises occurred.
Drawing on his experience in the private sector, Mr Svanikier cited how contingency planning and rehearsals enabled his bank to continue operating remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the experience demonstrated the importance of preparing for disruptions before they happened.
Mr Svanikier also called for stronger intelligence-sharing and professional cooperation among Ghanaian military officers and their counterparts across Africa.
He said closer relationships among security institutions in African countries would improve their ability to identify and neutralise threats before they escalated into major crises.
Humility Critical to Effective Command
Mr Svanikier further urged the graduating officers to approach leadership with humility and avoid allowing personal ego to prevent them from accepting useful ideas from subordinates.
He said effective commanders should be willing to recognise good ideas irrespective of the rank or position of the person presenting them.
He reminded the officers that command was a responsibility entrusted to them rather than a personal possession, stressing that authority was tied to an office and appointment, both of which were temporary.
“Leadership is therefore a blessing, a blessing which is held by you in trust. It’s never owned,” he said.
He encouraged the graduates to lead with courage, integrity, professionalism and humility and to use their training to serve humanity and leave a positive legacy.
Mr Svanikier also challenged GAFCSC to continuously review its training and preparedness programmes to ensure that the institution remained responsive to changes in the global security environment.
Graduates Urged to Protect GAFCSC Legacy
Rev Commodore (Rtd) Paul Adjei-Djan, who delivered the Christian sermon, urged the graduating officers to build on the achievements of previous generations of military leaders.
Using the biblical transition from Moses to Joshua as an example, he reminded the officers that they would eventually assume command and would be expected to provide clear direction and sound leadership.
He urged them to analyse missions carefully, develop appropriate courses of action, issue clear instructions and prioritise the welfare of personnel under their command.
Rev Commodore Adjei-Djan said military leadership depended significantly on the people who supported commanders and therefore urged the officers to remain humble and acknowledge the sacrifices of others.
“Somebody starts, somebody continues, and somebody completes,” he said.
He challenged the graduates to add value to existing systems and hand them over in better condition to succeeding generations.
Leadership Must Be Measured by Legacy
Imam Captain Abubakar Mohammed Sharabutu, who delivered the Islamic sermon, identified purpose, sacrifice and legacy as essential principles for the graduating officers.
He said their training should not be viewed simply as a means of acquiring academic or professional qualifications but as preparation to fulfil their responsibilities to God, humanity and the nation.
He noted that producing competent military officers required sacrifices not only from the graduates but also from instructors, facilitators, institutions and their families.
Imam Sharabutu said the ultimate test of leadership was the legacy an officer left behind and encouraged the graduates to consider carefully how they wanted to be remembered.
He urged them to “begin with the end in mind” by considering the long-term consequences of their decisions before taking action.
The religious service was held at Hamidu Hall under the theme, “Fifty Years of Equipping Officers for Professional Service,” with reference to Ephesians 2:10.
It formed part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of GAFCSC and the graduation of participants of Senior Command and Staff Course 47, as well as students of the 2026 Master of Science in Defence and International Politics and Master of Science in Security Studies programmes.
Established in July 1976 as a tri-service and joint institution, GAFCSC has evolved into a regional centre for professional military education.
The College, which received support from the United Kingdom and Canada during its formative years, began its first Senior Division course in January 1977 with 28 Ghanaian officers.
It has since expanded its role to train military officers from Ghana and allied African countries, contributing to professional military education and regional security cooperation.
