Photo By Spc. Kevin Brown | U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jason Hesseling, chaplain, Special Operations Command Africa,...... read more read more
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BURMA CAMP, Ghana — Chaplains across Special Operations Command Africa, U.S. Army National Guard and the Ghana Armed Forces participated in the Ghana Armed Forces Department of Religious Affairs Basic Chaplaincy Course for Chaplains and Imams at Garrison Methodist Presbyterian Church in Burma Camp, Ghana, July 16-25, 2024.
The course provided education and resources specifically designed for newly commissioned chaplains and imams. It marks the beginning of a five-year curriculum to certify chaplains.
Throughout the course the religious leaders receive comprehensive training on various topics, to include institutional chaplaincy, working in multidenominational communities, civil-military cooperation, relationships with the press and social media, combat stress management, and military mental health.
“It is primarily intended for the new inductees into their chaplain core,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jason Hesseling, chaplain, SOCAF. “The basic course is mainly to give them the fundamental tools to succeed as a chaplain so that they can effectively support their commanders and reach out to the service members they are assigned to.”
The course aims to expand cultural frameworks for ethics, morale, human rights, the law of war and to reduce the recruitment opportunities for violent extremist organizations. This collaboration between SOCAF and the GAF is one of many crucial elements of their enduring partnership, enhancing interoperability during crises and to promote security and stability in the region. The North Dakota Army National Guard is participating in the course as part of a state-sponsored partnership mission. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the partnership between the North Dakota Army National Guard and the Ghana Armed Forces.
“Last year was a vision materialized,” said Maj. Justin Fenger, chaplain with the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of the North Dakota Army National Guard. “Alongside U.S. Africa Command we participated in the first ever chaplain training school for the Ghana Armed Forces.”
Maj. A’Shellerien Addison, chaplain, 721st Troop Command with the Delaware Army National Guard, provided guidance on military mental health. Addison, a female chaplain, was introduced to Lt. Col. Cynthia Kumitse, the first female chaplain in the GAF. Female chaplains make up a small percentage within the religious affairs community in both the GAF and U.S. military, so the representation from both forces is a unique component of the ongoing Women, Peace and Security effort.
“This course is very essential and critical to us and that is why we appreciate the partnership with U.S. AFRICOM and our counterparts from North Dakota who come periodically to support,” said Col. Benjamin G. Kumi-Woode, the director general of religious affairs of the Ghana Armed Forces. “They bring certain experiences and know how and when we add what our partners are bringing, our chaplains are getting well rounded training so that whatever they are confronted with in the future, as the military troops’ chaplains, they will be able to deliver.”
| Date Taken: | 07.26.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 07.29.2024 03:11 |
| Story ID: | 477083 |
| Location: | ACCRA, GH |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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Chaplain
Army National Guard
US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
US Africa Command (USAFRICOM)
