It was my joy and pride to grant Ghana’s Defence College a Presidential Charter – Akufo-Addo

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has underscored the need for Africa to strengthen its institutions in order to deepen good governance and overcome persistent challenges of state fragility.

Delivering the keynote address at the Graduation Lecture for participants of Course 33 at the National Defence College in Abuja, Nigeria, on Monday, August 18, 2025, Akufo-Addo shared his vision for building resilient systems across the continent.

“Speaking on the topic, ‘Strengthening Institutions for Good Governance in Africa,’ I highlighted Africa’s multi-faceted, multi-layered and multi-dimensional path to stronger institutions and touched on the critical need for tighter oversight, digital transparency, inclusive nation-building, fiscal reform, active citizen participation, and stronger legal systems to foster inclusiveness and end state fragility,” the former President said.

He joined Nigeria’s Minister for Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral James Ohimai Okuson, for the event, which brought together participants from Africa, South America, and Asia.

Reflecting on Ghana’s own strides in security and defence education, Akufo-Addo recalled the establishment of the Ghana College of Defence Studies in 2023, aimed at training senior-level personnel for national security and defence leadership roles.

“The National Defence College of Nigeria works to develop future strategic leaders equipped with the knowledge and analytical skills in a dynamic defence and security environment.

“It is in pursuit of this, that, after so many decades of relying on countries like the United States, United Kingdom and India, I commissioned Ghana’s College of Defence Studies to train senior level personnel for key roles in national security and defence in 2023,” he noted.

Akufo-Addo added that it was a source of national pride when, in 2024, he conferred a Presidential Charter on the College, transforming it into an autonomous National Defence University.

“Indeed, it was my joy and pride when in 2024, I granted the College a Presidential Charter, making it an autonomous National Defence University,” he said.