We, at the Headquarters of the National Cadet Corps of Ghana (NCCG), have been made aware of a disturbing video circulating on social media, specifically on the Daily Graphic’s Facebook page, where a student was seen physically assaulting another during a cadet corps handing over ceremony. This incident, which took place in a school identified to be Garu Day Senior High School in the Upper East Region of Ghana, has understandably caused public outrage and concern.
The NCCG takes a firm stance against any form of unethical behaviour within cadet corps units. We unequivocally condemn this act of violence. It is deeply concerning that such an incident occurred under the supervision of school authorities, who are entrusted with the safety and proper development of our cadets.
Following similar occurrences in the past, we had earlier notified the directorates of Education about the need to ensure such unfortunate acts do not happen in schools. In response to this incident, the Headquarters NCCG, through the Northern Sector HQ, with the involvement of the Director of Physical Education and Sports at the Ghana Education Service (GES) Headquarters, have engaged the Upper East Regional Directorate to ensure that such occurrences are prevented in the future. We are committed to working closely with these authorities to put in place the necessary measures to forestall any recurrence of such incidents.
The training provided by the National Cadet Corps is multi-faceted and designed to mould the characters of young people, guiding them toward becoming disciplined and productive leaders in society. Our training programs, while modelled after military structures, are carefully adapted to suit the developmental needs of young people and are conducted in an environment that promotes respect, discipline, and ethical behaviour.
Let us be clear: nowhere in our cadet corps training do we condone or teach cadets to engage in acts of violence or abuse, whether during a handing over ceremony or any other activity. Our ceremonies are intended to be dignified and inspiring events that reflect the values of discipline and respect that we instill in our cadets. Notable examples of such ceremonies can be seen in institutions like Achimota School College and Mawuli School, where the National Cadet Corps supervises and ensures the highest standards of conduct.
We are appalled that the school authorities involved in this incident allowed such behavior to occur. This is a gross deviation from the principles of the National Cadet Corps and, as we see it, amounts to an alarming dereliction of duty. It is essential that the actions witnessed in the video are recognized for what they are: a stark violation of the core values we uphold. This behavior is not representative of the National Cadet Corps but rather akin to the unacceptable conduct one might expect from a terrorist group, which has no place in our schools or society.
The NCCG remains committed to ensuring that all cadet corps activities across the country adhere strictly to the principles of discipline, respect, and human rights. We will continue to work closely with educational authorities to prevent any recurrence of such incidents and to reinforce the positive and constructive role that the cadet corps plays in the development of our nation’s youth.
We trust that this clarifies our position and commitment to upholding the highest standards of conduct within the National Cadet Corps.
Ing. Samuel Osei Asare, PE-GhIE
Cadet Maj
(Coordinator, Northern Sector)
for: Nat. Cadet Coordinator-General
