Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh has served as Guest of Honour at the graduation ceremony of Senior Command and Staff Course 3 at the Horton Command and Staff College (HCSC), highlighting the importance of strategic leadership, continuous learning and institutional development in strengthening Sierra Leone’s Armed Forces and advancing national development.
The graduation marked the successful completion of 44 weeks of rigorous professional and academic training by senior military officers, equipping them with advanced knowledge and skills in strategic leadership, operational planning, diplomacy, security cooperation, teamwork and decision-making.
The Horton Command and Staff College is Sierra Leone’s premier institution for advanced military professional education, preparing senior officers for command and staff responsibilities while promoting strategic thinking, joint and combined operations, diplomacy and security cooperation. Its growing partnership with Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, further strengthens the integration of professional military training with postgraduate academic education.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Minister Sengeh said the continued growth of the College reflects Sierra Leone’s commitment to building a modern, professional and capable Armed Forces that can contribute meaningfully to national and regional development. He emphasised that effective leadership requires continuous learning, sound judgement and the ability to ask the right questions before making critical decisions.
Chief Minister also highlighted the contribution of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) to the Government’s Big Five Game Changers, particularly through infrastructure development and its growing role in the Feed Salone agenda. He noted that the military is currently engaged in rice cultivation, demonstrating its contribution beyond traditional security responsibilities. He stressed that Government’s investment in the Armed Forces extends beyond operations and infrastructure to include institutional systems, policies, legislation and human capital, while promoting greater gender inclusion and merit-based advancement.
He urged the graduating officers to provide leadership that is visible, humble and results-oriented, stressing that their ability to lead effectively, serve selflessly and deliver consistently would strengthen the RSLAF, protect democratic values and contribute to national development.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, the Valedictorian described the course as a demanding but transformative journey that strengthened the officers’ professional knowledge, strategic thinking and leadership capabilities. He paid tribute to two fallen course members, Major Mohamed Issa Kamara and Lieutenant Colonel Kelvin Kay Koroma, whose memory, he said, would remain an enduring part of the course, while expressing appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, Commandant, Directing Staff, Fourah Bay College and the families of the graduating officers for their support and sacrifices.
Commandant of Horton Command and Staff College, Brigadier General M. A. Kamara, commended the graduates, families and Directing Staff for their dedication and commitment. He encouraged the graduating officers to apply their knowledge with courage, integrity, wisdom and adaptability, emphasising that effective leadership extends beyond command to include intellectual capacity, diplomacy and strong partnerships.
The ceremony brought together senior government officials, military leadership, academic partners, invited guests, families and student officers from Sierra Leone and allied countries, including Ghana, Liberia, Tanzania and The Gambia. Their participation underscored the College’s growing role in advancing professional military education, regional cooperation and shared security.
The graduation therefore represents more than the completion of a professional military course; it reflects Sierra Leone’s broader investment in capable institutions and strategic leadership. By equipping senior officers with the knowledge and skills to plan, lead, coordinate and deliver effectively, the Senior Command and Staff Course strengthens the capacity of the Armed Forces to support national priorities, contribute to the Big Five Game Changers and advance Sierra Leone’s pursuit of peace, security and shared prosperity.
