ACCRA — Ghana's new National Defence University (NDU) has its first Governing Council, and US$25 million to get started.

Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu inaugurated the council in Accra on Monday, October 12, on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama. At the ceremony, he announced that the government had committed $25 million in seed funding for the university's take-off and that the money had already been paid to the Chief of Defence Staff.

The minister also said the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) would back faculty development under its 2027 funding formula. That includes fully funded doctoral or professional training for at least 10 faculty members.

A university for Ghana's security future

The NDU will bring the Ghana Armed Forces' tertiary institutions under one academic roof. It is designed to strengthen strategic leadership, defence education, research and national security policy, and to train military personnel, security professionals and civilians alike.

Iddrisu described it as a centre of excellence for high-level strategic studies, operational readiness and African-led peace and security policy. He insisted that merit must guide admissions, graduation and staff appointments, and said the university should also strengthen civil-military relations and Ghana's democracy.

The university's motto is “Knowledge, Service and Integrity.” For now, it operates from the Command Officers' Mess at Burma Camp in Accra while its main campus is built at Whistler Barracks, Teshie.

Defence Minister's charge

Minister for Defence Kenneth Gilbert Adjei urged the council to uphold academic excellence, integrity and strategic leadership. He said the strength of the Armed Forces rests not only on equipment but on the knowledge, character and judgement of its people.

With threats increasingly spanning military, political, economic and cyber domains, Adjei said Ghana needs institutions that prepare personnel to anticipate change and decide well under pressure. He told council members they would be judged by the standards they set and the institution they leave behind, not by the number of meetings they hold.

Council chair pledges smooth transition

Responding for the council, its Chairman, Professor John O. Gyapong, pledged strong governance and a smooth institutional transition. He said the council would draw up a practical transition plan, protect the credibility of qualifications and build research partnerships, while keeping the distinctive strengths of the constituent colleges.

What happens next

With the council in place and funding released, attention now turns to the transition plan, the construction of the Teshie campus, and the merging of the military's colleges into a single university. Gyapong said the council would work with management, the Ghana Armed Forces and other partners so that the university's graduates and research serve Ghana's security and national development.