An orientation programme on the Ghana Armed Forces  (GAF) Gender Training Manual was held for Gender Advisors, Gender Focal Persons and Instructors within the Southern Command at the Air Force Base, Accra on Wednesday 4 February 2026.

The delegation led by the Gender Policy Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff, Group Captain Theodora Agornyo and supported by Gender Policy Advisors to the respective Service Chiefs on arrival at the Base, paid a courtesy call on the Base Commander, Air Commodore Elvis King Arneson.

The team then moved to the Ghana Air Force Aviation College auditorium for an in-depth orientation on the Ghana Armed Forces Gender Training Manual.

Group Captain Agornyo explained that the engagement was organised to standardise the content of the Gender Training Manual across all garrisons and ensure a common understanding among personnel. She stressed the importance of rolling out gender training at all levels of military education to enhance awareness and promote effective gender mainstreaming within the Armed Forces.

She urged that gender training should be included at all training institutions to equip personnel with the requisite knowledge and appreciation of gender issues in military operations.

In her presentation, the Gender Policy Advisor to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Captain (Ghana Navy) Cecilia Amoo-Welsing, clarified that gender mainstreaming does not seek to favour one gender over another, but rather to establish institutional systems that recognise, respect and promote equality while enhancing operational effectiveness.

She further called for gender inclusiveness in conflict resolution processes and highlighted notable efforts by the Military High Command which included the appointment of Gender Advisors across all services and Commands, as well as the deployment of Gender Focal Persons on peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.

A representative from the Women, Youth, Peace and Security Institute at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Madam Salome Fofie Boateng provided detailed guidelines on the use of the Ghana Armed Forces Gender Training Manual.

She explained that the course content of the manual is structured into four levels: Level One for gender modules at the Ghana Military Academy and recruit training schools, Level Two for newly commissioned officers and newly passed-out soldiers, Level Three for the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College Junior Division and Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course and Level Four for the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College Senior Division and the Sergeant Majors Course.

Madam Boateng urged instructors to study the manual thoroughly and adhere strictly to the outlined guidelines to ensure effective instruction. She added that the Instructor’s Guide should be used alongside the Gender Training Manual to support instructors during facilitation.

The orientation programme concluded with an interactive session, during which members of the delegation responded to questions and provided further clarifications to participants.