Defence Minister tasks National Defence University Council to develop future military leaders

The Minister for Defence, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has charged the newly inaugurated 19-member Governing Council of the National Defence University (NDU) to prioritise leadership development, professional competence and ethical responsibility in building a strong and responsive defence institution.

He said national and military strength depended not only on equipment and operational capabilities but also on developing the minds, character and judgement of future leaders.

Mr Adjei made the remarks when he inaugurated the Governing Council on Monday in Accra, to oversee the affairs of the University and provide strategic direction for its development.

He noted that the establishment of the NDU represented an important step towards consolidating fragmented military and security training institutions under a unified collegiate structure to promote greater coordination, efficiency and excellence in defence education.

The Minister said the evolving security landscape required a new generation of military and security professionals equipped to respond to threats that increasingly intersected with technology, politics, economics and cyber warfare.

According to him, the institution must prepare personnel not only to understand emerging security challenges but also to provide effective leadership and develop practical solutions to complex national, regional and international security concerns.

Mr Adjei expressed the expectation that the University would become a key institution for strengthening Ghana’s defence capabilities through quality education, research and strategic policy development.

The Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor John Owusu Gyapong, pledged to develop a practical transition and integration plan to guide the establishment and effective functioning of the University.

He said the Council would work to strengthen the institution’s culture, uphold academic standards and formulate a focused strategic plan to guide its operations and long-term development.

Professor Gyapong further assured that the Council would establish a strong governance framework grounded in the University’s founding Act, accountability, consultation and due process to ensure effective administration.

He said the Council was committed to building an institution capable of making a lasting contribution to national development and advancing defence education across the African continent.

The National Defence University is expected to serve as a centre of excellence for strategic studies, operational readiness, research and policy development, while supporting African-led approaches to peace and security.