The High Commissioner of Ghana to South Africa, Benjamin Anani Quashie, joined a 29-member delegation from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) for a debriefing session at the Waterkloof Guest House following the successful completion of their one-week study tour in South Africa.
The delegation was led by the Commandant of GAFCSC, B. Kwao-Adotey, and included staff and students drawn from six African countries: Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Niger and Tanzania. The study tour formed part of the 2026 GAFCSC Africa Study Tour programme aimed at strengthening defence cooperation, military education and regional security engagement across the continent.
Also in attendance at the debriefing session was the Defence Advisor at the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, underscoring the importance of the visit within the broader framework of diplomatic and defence relations between Ghana and South Africa.
Focus on Africa’s Defence Industrial Base
Held under the theme, “Africa’s Defence Industrial Base: Progress and Constraints,” the study tour provided delegates with the opportunity to engage directly with South Africa’s defence and security sector through visits to military bases, defence institutions and industrial facilities across the country.
The engagements enabled participants to assess the progress made by African states in strengthening their defence industrial capabilities while also examining the challenges facing the continent in achieving greater self-reliance in defence production, military innovation and security infrastructure development.
Through interactions with industry stakeholders and defence experts, the delegation explored issues related to technological advancement, military preparedness, regional cooperation and industrial capacity-building within Africa’s evolving security landscape.
Strengthening African Defence Cooperation
In his remarks during the debriefing session, High Commissioner Quashie commended the delegation for selecting South Africa as the destination for the study tour, highlighting the strategic value of the engagements for both professional military development and continental cooperation.
He noted that the delegation’s presence in South Africa provided valuable insights into the country’s recent developments in the defence and security sectors while creating opportunities for knowledge-sharing and institutional collaboration among African military professionals.
The High Commissioner further emphasised the importance of strengthening partnerships among African nations in addressing common security challenges and advancing the continent’s long-term peace, stability and defence capabilities.
Promoting Regional Integration and Security Dialogue
The 2026 GAFCSC Africa Study Tour reflects the growing importance of regional military diplomacy and collaborative defence education in Africa. By bringing together military personnel from multiple African countries, the programme continues to foster professional networks, strategic dialogue and deeper understanding of shared continental priorities.
The engagement also highlighted the role of defence institutions such as GAFCSC in promoting regional integration, leadership development and collective approaches to peace and security across Africa.
As African nations continue to navigate evolving security threats and geopolitical challenges, initiatives such as the GAFCSC study tour remain critical platforms for strengthening cooperation, enhancing defence capacity and encouraging sustainable security partnerships across the continent.
