Story by Corporal Boateng Samuel 

Pictures by S/Sgt Sarfo Eric

Five personnel of the Ghana Air Force formed part of a 40-member contingent drawn from the Ghana Armed Forces to successfully completed the Jungle Expert and Instructor Course 1-26.

The 10-week course, conducted at the Jungle Warfare School, Akim-Achiase in the Eastern Region was officially closed on Friday, 25 September 2026, by the Commander of the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB), Brigadier General Richard Kainyi Mensah.

The course was designed to equip selected personnel with the requisite knowledge and skills to instruct and conduct internal security and counter-insurgency operations in jungle environments.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Brigadier General Mensah said the training also sought to develop the leadership capabilities of potential instructors to enable them to effectively plan and execute company, platoon and section-level operations under challenging jungle conditions.

He commended the participants for their discipline, comportment and commitment throughout the course, urging them to demonstrate self-discipline, common sense and efficiency in the discharge of their professional duties.

Brigadier General Mensah further encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course to realistic operational situations whenever the need arose. He also commended the instructors and supporting staff for their dedication, expertise and patience in mentoring the trainees.

On behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces High Command, Brigadier General Mensah congratulated the three best-performing participants. Warrant Officer Class One Akagri Augustine emerged as the overall best participant, followed by Lance Corporal Mensah Benjamin in second place, while Captain Nana Kwaku Owusu Domme placed third.

He urged the award winners to justify the recognition by demonstrating professionalism and effectively applying the knowledge and skills acquired during the training in their respective appointments.

As part of the ceremony, the participants were decorated with Jungle Expert Badges and hot-weather field caps, signifying their induction into the Jungle Expert and Instructor Corps.

Brigadier General Mensah was accompanied by the Commanding Officer of the Jungle Warfare School, Lieutenant Colonel Speratus Anglaamwine Baninyeni and the Director of Research and Development at Air Force Headquarters, Group Captain Patrick Necku, who decorated the participants.