President Adama Barrow has presided over the first-ever commissioning parade for military officers trained entirely within The Gambia, calling it a historic milestone for the country’s armed forces.
Speaking at McCarthy Square on Wednesday, Barrow said the training programme for Commissioning Course 01 would serve as the foundation for a future Military Academy, ending the reliance on foreign institutions for basic officer training.
“The rigorous character of the programme was to test and strengthen mental courage, physical endurance, and leadership character,” the President said.
He commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Mamat O.A. Cham, for spearheading the initiative, adding that the government had invested significantly in security sector training and welfare since 2017.
More than 100 GAF personnel have benefited from overseas training through partnerships with countries including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and China.
Addressing the graduating cadets, Barrow urged them to uphold “the highest standards of good citizenship, professionalism, discipline, and integrity” and to always place the nation’s interest above self.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) Lieutenant General Mamat O.A. Cham said the historic commissioning of the first locally trained officer is an achievement that reflects The Gambia’s progress towards self-reliance in military training, noting that the country had long depended on friendly nations to train its officers abroad.
He traced the evolution of the GAF Training School from its early beginnings in 1984 under foreign training assistance to its current status as a symbol of national resilience and capacity building.
CDS Cham described the cadets as pioneers who have set the standard for future intakes after completing rigorous training designed to test their endurance, leadership, and decision-making skills.
He urged the new officers to embrace discipline, humility, and responsibility, stressing that true leadership is demonstrated through actions rather than rank.
He also commended instructors, the Ministry of Defence, and the leadership of President Adama Barrow for their support. He called for sustained investment to develop a full military academy in the future as he reminded the officers that their duty is to serve The Gambia with integrity, fairness, and commitment.
