Parliament has passed the National Defence University Bill, 2026, clearing the way for Ghana to establish a dedicated National Defence University.
The new institution will consolidate and coordinate all tertiary education programmes of the Ghana Armed Forces and position Ghana as a hub for defence and security training in Africa.
Speaker Alban Bagbin presided over the passage of the Bill.
A Premier Centre For Defence Education
The university will serve as a centre of excellence for defence and security education, research, capacity building and policy development.
It will offer diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes to both military personnel and civilians working in national security and defence in Ghana and across the continent.
For over 20 years, key military institutions, including the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, National College of Defence Studies, and Military Health Institutions, have been running accredited postgraduate programmes.
However, they have operated under mentorship arrangements with civilian universities.
GTEC Recommends Presidential Charter
Following a review of facilities and academic programmes, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, GTEC, recommended that the government grant the proposed university a Presidential Charter and register it under Section 26 of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).
The Charter will allow the National Defence University to independently award certificates, diplomas and degrees for GTEC-accredited programmes.
In line with Section 29(1) of Act 1023, the President has directed the *Ministry of Defence and the *Military High Command to establish the university.
“A Milestone For National Security” – Parliament
The Joint Committee of Parliament described the Bill as a major step forward.
“The Bill is a crucial step towards advancing tertiary education in defence and security in Ghana,” the Committee stated in its report to Parliament.
It added that the law provides “a robust legal and administrative framework for consolidating existing military institutions into a world-class University” to enhance national security and regional stability.
The Committee also noted that the university will preserve the discipline and character of military training while meeting the highest standards of academic governance.
With Parliament’s approval, the National Defence University Bill, 2026, now awaits presidential assent to become law.
_Article: Dr. Georgia_
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