Students of Senior Command and Staff Course 47 of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) have visited the Air Force Base (AFB) Accra as part of activities marking the College’s Air Power Week. The visit formed part of the College’s objective of exposing students to the operational and strategic functions of the Ghana Air Force and to enhance their appreciation of air power as a critical component of national defence and joint operations.

The delegation, led by the Assistant Commandant, Brig Gen Kwao-Adotey, paid a courtesy call on the Base Commander, Air Commodore Elvis King Arneson, who warmly welcomed them to the Base. In his remarks, the Base Commander commended the College for maintaining a strong emphasis on inter-service cooperation and professional education. He noted that the Ghana Air Force continues to play a central role in supporting joint and multinational operations, disaster response, and humanitarian missions, all of which underscore the importance of understanding air power in contemporary security operations.

As part of the visit, the students attended a comprehensive briefing on the organisation and role of the Base. The presentation offered participants a deeper understanding of how airbases function as the nerve centres of air power projection, integrating operations, administration, and logistics to ensure mission success.

Following the lecture, the students were conducted on a guided tour of key installations and facilities at the Base. The tour provided the participants with firsthand exposure to the technological, human, and logistical components that underpin air power delivery in Ghana. They also interacted with various operational and technical staff, gaining valuable perspectives on the day-to-day challenges and innovations that sustain air operations.

The visit concluded with a reception at the Air Force Officers’ Mess, where the students interacted with senior Air Force officers in an atmosphere of camaraderie and professional exchange. The event fostered informal discussions on air strategy, leadership, and inter-service cooperation, strengthening the bonds between the Ghana Air Force and the GAFCSC. The Assistant Commandant also presented a plaque to the Base Commander, received on his behalf by the Flying Group Commander, Group Captain David Nkansah.

The visit to AFB Accra provided participants with a practical appreciation of air operations, base management, and inter-service cooperation, reinforcing their classroom learning with real-world insights. It also highlighted the Ghana Air Force’s commitment to professionalism, innovation, and regional collaboration in safeguarding Ghana’s sovereignty and contributing to Africa’s collective security. The students were accompanied by the Assistant Commandant, Chief Instructors and Members of the Directing Staff.

Brief background of the course

The Senior Command and Staff Course 47 is made up of 90 students comprising 67 senior officers from the Ghana Armed Forces and 26 senior officers from 14 allied African countries namely, Benin, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia. Others come from Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Niger and Nigeria. The rest are from Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The Course forms a critical part of the College’s mission to develop the professional competence and strategic acumen of middle-level officers for higher command and staff responsibilities both within Ghana and across the African continent.