The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, has visited the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) to share his vision for the Ghana Army with students of Senior Command and Staff Course 47. The lecture took place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, at Hamidu Hall. 
Delivering his presentation on the topic “The Ghana Army by 2030,” Major General Gbetanu articulated his vision, “To maintain a motivated Army grounded on core military values, enabled by adaptive technologies and platforms, capable of projecting decisive land power as part of the Ghana Armed Forces.” 
He outlined key themes of his lecture, including the strategic context of Ghana, the current state of the Ghana Army, the desired end state by 2030, core drivers of transformation, operational priorities (2026–2030), institutional reforms and partnerships, enablers of success, and the roles of officers and students. 
Major General Gbetanu also addressed challenges confronting the Ghana Army, such as limited manpower and specialist training across services, inadequate accommodation and infrastructure for personnel and cadets, poor procurement performance, and ageing equipment and logistics. 
He further highlighted the shortage of barracks for new formations and regiments, the lack of modern military technology and ICT systems, inadequate high-tech weapon and logistics systems, and the high attrition rate among young officers and soldiers. 
He urged officers and students to uphold professionalism, innovation, and ethical leadership; to become adaptive leaders who understand that future conflicts will differ from those of the past; to think critically and challenge outdated assumptions; and to remain steadfast custodians of the Army’s core values—emphasizing that without these values, no technology or strategy could ensure lasting success. 
Looking toward 2030, Major General Gbetanu reaffirmed that his vision is anchored in motivation and value-driven principles grounded in discipline, loyalty, integrity, and professionalism. He encouraged the students to remain loyal, maintain professional standards, and strive for greater efficiency and effectiveness. 
He concluded with a quote from General Giulio Douhet, “Victory smiles upon those who anticipate the changes in the character of war, not upon those who wait to adapt themselves after the changes occur.” 
The Acting Commandant of GAFCSC, Brigadier General Jackson Wonje, expressed appreciation to the COAS, noting that the visit would further strengthen the bond between the Ghana Army and the College, while enhancing the intellectual and professional development of personnel.
He emphasized that the COAS’s visit demonstrated the Army’s strong commitment to education, training, and continuous professional growth. 
As a token of appreciation, Brigadier General Wonje presented a customized plaque to the Chief of the Army Staff. The COAS was accompanied by some Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters.
