President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Brigadier General William Agyapong as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
With over 30 years of millitary experience, Brigadier General William Agyapong takes over from Lt. Gen. Oppong-Peprah, who had served in the role since February 2024.
Here’s a profile of the Ghana’s latest Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General William Agyapong
Brig Gen William Agyapong is an alumnus of Effiduase Secondary Commercial School (EFFISCO) in the Ashanti Region and later attended Tema Secondary School for his Sixth Form education. He joined the Ghana Armed Forces in November 1988 and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in August 1990 after completing the Regular Career Course Intake 30.
Throughout his career, Brig Gen Agyapong has held various command and administrative positions, shaping military operations and training programs. Some of his notable roles include:
2. Commanding Officer of a Ghana Battalion with UNIFIL in Lebanon (2012)
3. Commander Rear, 4 Infantry Battalion (Kumasi)
4. First Joint Task Force Commander of Operation VANGUARD (2017) – leading anti-illegal mining operations
5. Director of Army Administration, Army HQ (2016-2018)
6. Director General of Defence Industries Department, General Headquarters (2021)
Additionally, he has extensive teaching experience, having trained personnel at:
- Ghana Military Academy
- Army Combat Training School
- Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC)
- Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre
Brig Gen Agyapong has background in international peacekeeping, having served in some of the world’s most volatile regions:
- Liberia (ECOMOG)
- Gambia (ECOMIG)
- Lebanon (UNIFIL)
- Rwanda (UNAMIR)
- Chad (MNURCAT)
From 2013 to 2016, he worked as a strategic planner at the United Nations Secretariat in New York. Since September 2023, he has been serving as the Military Advisor to Ghana’s Permanent Representative at the UN.
Brig Gen Agyapong holds multiple academic and professional qualifications, making him one of the most academically accomplished military leaders in Ghana:
- Master of Military Arts and Science – Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA
- Master of Science in Professional Accountancy – University of London, UK
- Master of Arts in International Security and Strategy – King’s College London, UK
- Diploma in Forensic Accounting – Brentwood Institute, UK
He is also a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA), UK. His financial expertise enhances his meticulous approach to military administration and operational strategy.
Brig Gen Agyapong is widely respected for his discipline, professionalism, and ability to foster unity within the ranks. His leadership is shaped by his international exposure, emphasizing best practices in security operations.
His financial background also influences his decision-making, with a focus on substance over form—ensuring that military operations are both effective and accountable.
He is married to Esther Agyapong, and they have four children.
With his extensive military experience, international exposure, and financial expertise, Brig Gen William Agyapong is well-positioned to lead the Ghana Armed Forces into a new era of strategic defense and operational efficiency.
His appointment marks a significant transition in military leadership, one that is expected to enhance both national security and Ghana’s international military collaborations.
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