Officers and students from seventeen African Armed Forces, graduating from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) Senior Staff Course 45, have been called upon to exemplify humble leadership.
Guest of honour at the graduation religious service, Air Vice Marshal (Rtd) Maxwell Matsebi-Tei Nagai, emphasized the importance of service over self, urging graduates to avoid seeking personal glory or recognition. Speaking on Sunday, August 17, 2024, under the theme “To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required,” Nagai set the tone for the upcoming graduation ceremony.
Highlighting the exceptional leadership of three senior GAF officers – Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, Major General Matthew Kweku Essien, and Brigadier General Lawrence Gbetanu – Nagai encouraged the graduates to emulate their selfless dedication. He recalled their exemplary performance as instructors at the Ghana Military Academy, where they were consistently praised by Ghana Air Force personnel.
“Military leadership is not about fanfare, promises, accolades, or loud applause,” Nagai stated, emphasizing the need for humility and focus on duty.
He described the Senior Staff Course as rigorous and designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective middle-level management.
The service included a sermon by Right Reverend Colonel John Kwamina Otoo, who urged graduates to acknowledge God’s role in their appointments and to strive for excellence. Imam Lieutenant Muzbal Saeed also offered words of encouragement, drawing parallels between the graduates’ leadership roles and the biblical story of Moses.
Ninety-eight officers and students successfully completed the eleven-month Senior Command and Staff Course, earning the “PSC” designation. Additionally, many graduates received Master of Science degrees in Defence and International Politics.
Sheila Satori Mensa