Story: Warrant Officer Class1 Amoah Noel King

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The Commandant of the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (HQ TRADOC), Rear Admiral Maxwell Arhin, has urged chaplains and imams of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to embrace continuous learning and exemplary leadership as indispensable pillars of effective military ministry.

He made the call at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Career and Command Chaplaincy Courses, held at the Ghana Air Force Aviation College (GHAFAC) on Friday, 10 July 2026.

Addressing participants as the Guest of Honour, Rear Admiral Arhin observed that the evolving nature of modern conflicts has made the role of military chaplains and imams more critical than ever in safeguarding the moral, ethical and spiritual well-being of personnel. He stressed that the Ghana Armed Forces requires religious leaders who are professionally competent, resilient and adequately equipped to respond to emerging operational challenges.

Quoting the late American President John F. Kennedy, he reminded participants that "leadership and learning are indispensable to each other," urging them to pursue lifelong learning while demonstrating exemplary leadership in both word and deed.

Rear Admiral Arhin further noted that the true measure of the course would not be the certificates awarded but the positive impact participants make in the lives of those they serve. He encouraged them to be remembered not only for the sermons they preach but also for the lives they transform, the hope they inspire and the examples they set in service to God, the Ghana Armed Forces and the nation.

He added that the knowledge acquired, professional relationships established and experiences shared throughout the course would significantly enhance their effectiveness as chaplains and imams in supporting military operations and personnel welfare.

The Commandant explained that the transformation of the chaplaincy training programme into the Career and Command Chaplaincy Courses reflects the Ghana Armed Forces' commitment to developing a professional chaplaincy that remains responsive to the demands of the contemporary operational environment.

He commended the Director General of Religious Affairs, directing staff, partners from the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), facilitators and the organising team for their dedication and commitment to the successful execution of the programme, describing their contributions as a worthwhile investment in the future of military chaplaincy.

In his remarks, the Director General of the Department of Religious Affairs, Brigadier General Benjamin Godson Kumi-Woode, underscored the importance of continuous professional development for chaplains and imams, noting that investing in their capacity remains essential to building a mission-ready force capable of responding to emerging security challenges.

He emphasised that chaplains and imams play a vital role in promoting discipline, resilience, cohesion and operational effectiveness within the Ghana Armed Forces. He therefore called for sustained efforts to strengthen their professional competencies, enabling them to contribute more meaningfully to the achievement of the Armed Forces' operational objectives.