By Chimezie Godfrey
The Federal Ministry of Defence on Thursday hosted a delegation from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College as part of efforts to strengthen regional defence cooperation and professional exchange within West Africa.
The delegation, drawn from Senior Course 47 of the institution, visited the Ministry’s headquarters at Ship House, Abuja, on a study tour.
Speaking during the engagement, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Richard Pheelangwa, represented by the Director of Joint Services Department, Bosede Olaniyi, said Nigeria and Ghana remained important partners in regional peace and economic collaboration.
According to her, the visit was designed to strengthen regional defence cooperation and improve understanding of defence administration and industrial development within Africa.
Olaniyi stated that Nigeria remained committed to promoting peace and security across Africa.
“The success of the defence sector is germane to the growth of the African continent,” she said.
She also reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen collaboration with Ghana in the area of defence cooperation.
During the Ministry’s presentation, the Assistant Director, Special Projects, Joint Services Department, Fatima Mowarin, highlighted major reforms being undertaken by the Federal Government to strengthen local defence production.
The reforms, she said, include the re-enactment of the DICON Act, public-private partnerships, technology transfer initiatives and collaborations with local and foreign defence industries.
Mowarin also identified inadequate funding, dependence on foreign technology and shortage of local raw materials as major challenges affecting the sector.
Responding, the head of the Ghanaian delegation, Fiifi Deegbe, appreciated the Ministry for the warm reception and insightful engagements.
He said visits to military formations in Kaduna and various service headquarters had provided valuable learning opportunities for the delegation.
Deegbe commended the Ministry’s commitment to indigenous defence production and regional security cooperation.
“With the ongoing development in Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, Africa is heading towards military advancement,” he stated.
A representative of Senior Course 47, Kuntu Blankson, also expressed interest in continued collaboration with the Ministry on knowledge exchange and professional development.