GAF begins exercise to strengthen joint security preparedness

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has initiated a three-day tabletop exercise named "Exercise Resolute Synergy" to enhance joint operational preparedness, institutional cohesion, and coordination among the different services and national security stakeholders. The exercise, under the theme "Enhancing Preparedness through Joint Training," presents a controlled setting for commanders, staff, and key stakeholders to test assumptions, evaluate decision-making processes, and pinpoint gaps in preparedness.

Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) Lieutenant General William Agyapong emphasized the significance of the exercise in preparing the GAF to handle the evolving challenges of national defence and security. He described it as a practical expression of his vision for a cohesive and professional Armed Forces comprised of skilled officers, committed soldiers, and dedicated defence civilian staff.

CDS Agyapong highlighted that this exercise was the first of its kind to be organized at the General Headquarters since he joined the GAF 36 years ago, making it historically significant.

CDS Agyapong noted that the exercise comes at a critical time for Ghana and the West African sub-region, where security conditions have become increasingly unstable, largely due to the spread of violent extremist activities towards the south. He urged participants to demonstrate initiative, engage in critical thinking, and maintain professional dialogue throughout the exercise.

Agyapong stressed that the objective was not merely to showcase existing plans' perfection but to identify weaknesses, expose capability gaps, and develop practical solutions.

Director-General responsible for Training, Brigadier General William Kwabiah, expressed confidence that Exercise Resolute Synergy would improve operational readiness, strengthen institutional cohesion, and deepen cooperation among the various services and participating agencies. He explained that the tabletop exercise would allow participants to analyze different scenarios, develop courses of action, and evaluate command and control, information sharing, and inter-service coordination.

Brigade General Kwabiah urged participants to approach the exercise with an open mind and view the identified gaps not as failures but as opportunities to enhance preparedness.