The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu has officially opened a five-day Young Officers’ Convention at the School of Marine Engineering and Combat Systems (SMECS) of the Western Naval Command (WNC), Takoradi on Monday 29 August, 2022.
The convention, made up of forty Young Naval Officers of all branches nominated from various commands and tri-service units is under the theme “Enhancing the capacity of the Young Officer in an expanding Navy.”
In his address, the CNS, who was the Guest of Honour noted that the Young Officers convention over the years had been an opportune platform to master Junior Officers of the Ghana Navy and refresh them on contemporary operational and administrative issues. He further stated that, it was a platform to solicit the ideas of the participants to inform future planning and decision making.
He noted that the maritime threats of the nation were continuously evolving and that had necessitated the Ghana Navy to adopt strategies to effectively tackle the threats in order to enhance the safety and security of Ghana’s maritime domain. One of such strategy, he mentioned, was to maintain a professional and motivated formidable Naval Force. He pointed out that the theme for the convention was harmonious with his vision and also timely and relevant as they cultivated their effort in building a modern and effective Navy.
He said their involvement in the entire process could not be overemphasised as the increasing operational requirement had necessitated the current expansion drive of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), which had led to a major restructuring of the Ghana Navy. He averred that the expansion would give them a brighter opportunity as young officers to work in a more dynamic and competitive road to meet future operational demands of the Ghana Navy. He said, it was therefore imperative that efforts were directed towards building their capacity in anticipation of future demands. He, however, urged them to develop their leadership abilities and potentials.
Rear Admiral Yakubu reiterated that, the continuous coordinated efforts were also key in maintaining the time-tested traditions of the Ghana Navy, therefore, there was the need to build and develop their capacity to take up those roles effectively as the Navy expanded. He entreated the participants to show maximum interest which will result in a very good workable communique. He thanked the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), the Western Naval Command (WNC) Commodore Samuel Walker and his staff as well as facilitators for organising the convention.
Earlier, the Commanding Officer of the School of Marine Engineering and Combat Systems (SMECS), Commander JK Tchum on behalf of the FOC, welcomed the participants to the convention. He noted that such conventions were organised annually as part of measures to involve young officers in the decision making process of the Ghana Navy. He said the convention will afford the participants the opportunity to brainstorm and be lectured on topical issues in order to produce affordable ideas for consideration by Higher Command. He was hopeful that the convention will bring out new strength and renew the capacity of the participants to impact positively on the Ghana Navy and GAF as a whole.
Among the topics to be treated include; understanding the vision of the CNS, Military Discipline: Expectations of Command, Enhancing leadership qualities of the Young Officers and Challenges of Command: the role of the young officer, among others.
