Graduates of Ghana Armed Forces Junior Staff Course 73 have been asked to use the knowledge acquired to manage the multidimensional challenges in their field of disciplines.

The graduands were reminded of the current and emerging trends, such as transnational organized crime, money laundering, cybercrime and terrorism, which required a multi-faceted approach as no single institution could successfully handle all.

Commodore Osei Sarfo (Rtd), a former Deputy Commandant of Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), said this at a graduation ceremony of 52 officers, made up of 44 officers drawn from the Ghana Armed Forces, eight from Nigeria and one from the Liberia Armed Forces.

These were contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Directorate of the Ghana Armed Forces and copied to the Ghana News Agency, in Accra.

The 19-week course, which started on February 7, 2020, was designed to offer the opportunity for students to broaden their professional and general outlook on matters of both national and international dimensions.

Commodore Osei Sarfo (Rtd) stated the stress and anxiety related with the Coronavirus pandemic took a toll on the students.

However, the students focused on their studies and did not relent, he added.

He said COVID-19 and its devastating effect required the collaborative efforts of ministries, metropolitan and municipal assemblies, intelligent agencies, security agencies, environmentalists and traditional authorities. Commodore Osei Sarfo (Rtd) congratulated the graduands and commended the leadership of the institution for the success of the course.

Brigadier General Mike Akpatsu, the Assistant Commandant in charge of the Juniors Division, said he was excited that all the students successfully met the required standards and were, therefore, qualified to be awarded the “Junior Staff Course” (JSC) qualification.

Rear Admiral Moses Beick-Baffour, the Commandant of GAFCSC, consequently, conferred the ‘JSC’ qualification symbol on the graduands and presented them with certificates.

The ultimate prize went to Major R. Owusu-Ababio, who was adjudged the overall Best Student of the Course.

The Second Best Student Award went to Maj H.J. Bavoke, while the third Best Student award went to Maj P.N.L. Anang.

The Best Allied Security Services Award went to DIO II BA Sadiq form the Nigeria Defence Intelligence. Lt (NN) FG Oni from the Nigeria Armed Forces won the Best Allied Student Award.

Students who excelled in academia were awarded with prizes.

In the Assistant Commandant’s Paper Prize, Maj R Adonteng, Lt Cdr D Borkey and Sqn Ldr D Badu-Yeboah were awarded with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, respectively.

Present at the ceremony were; the Deputy Commandant, Brig Gen Adu, the incoming Assistant Commandant, Junior Division, Brig Gen Dawohoso, Directors from GAF, and some Senior Officers.