Two senior officers of the Ghana Air Force, Air Commodore Sophia Adzo Jiagge and Group Captain Nii Adjei Aryeetey, have made history as part of the founding intake to graduate from the National College of Defence Studies (NCDS). The maiden graduation ceremony was held on Saturday, 16 November 2024 at Nicholson Stadium, Burma Camp, Accra.

The event saw 19 participants, comprising 17 from the Ghana Armed Forces and two from other security agencies, successfully complete a rigorous program in strategic studies. The graduates were awarded master’s certificates in strategic studies and inducted as Fellows of the NCDS, a distinction that underscores their readiness to assume higher-level leadership and management roles in the defence and security sector.

It is remarkable to state that, Air Commodore Jiagge, the first female to attain this rank in the history of the Ghana Air Force stands out as one of two females to undertake the maiden course.

The establishment of the college in May 2023 is a strategic initiative aimed at equipping military and security professionals with the expertise needed to address Ghana’s evolving security challenges. This milestone event marks a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to build a robust security framework capable of protecting and defending the country against any threats.

Delivering the keynote address as the Guest of Honour, the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo, emphasised the critical role of the NCDS in bolstering national security. He encouraged the graduates to apply their newly acquired knowledge to help counteract contemporary threats such as terrorism, cybercrime, and environmental degradation, among others.

The Commandant of the NCDS, Major General Irvine Nii-Ayitey Aryeetey, lauded the graduates for their dedication and resilience throughout the course. He described them as “shining examples” of strategic leadership and commended their potential to contribute significantly to national and regional security.