About the National Cadet Corps
Discipline and Loyalty
The National Cadet Corps, Ghana (NCCG) is the coordinating body for all school cadet corps in the country — an amalgamation of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Fire, Customs and Immigration Cadet Corps. Operating under the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, it instils discipline, loyalty, patriotism and leadership in young people across all sixteen regions.
With a presence in more than 1,200 basic, secondary and tertiary institutions and a membership of over 76,000 cadets, the Corps is the largest organised, nationally spread youth educative organisation in Ghana and is readily mobilised for national development duties.
Seventy years of cadetting in Ghana
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1954
The first cadet corps
Established at Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS), Takoradi, to instil discipline and loyalty and interest students in the Gold Coast Frontier Force — today's Ghana Armed Forces. Army-supported corps soon followed at Achimota, Accra Academy, Prempeh, Opoku Ware, Adisadel, St. Augustine's, Mfantsipim, Wesley Girls', Mawuli, St. Paul's Denu, Tamale Secondary and Navrongo SHS.
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1967
The Navy joins
The Ghana Navy inaugurates the first Naval Cadet Corps at St. Paul's Secondary and Minor Seminary School, Denu.
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1994
A united front
Cadet leaders from Accra Academy, Wesley Girls' and other schools form the Combined Cadet Force Central Command to bring every cadet corps together.
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1995
Air Force and Fire cadets
The Air Force opens its first school corps at the Wings Parade — St. Anthony's Prep & JHS, Wesley Girls' and Nsein SHS. The first Fire Cadet Corps starts at Akosombo International School.
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1998
Combined Cadet Force
Cadets rekindle the national movement with government support, under patrons Mrs. Asana Mahama (1998–2000) and the late Maj. S. A. Lartey (Rtd) (2000–2002).
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2002
Police cadets
With the Inspector-General's approval, the first Police Cadet Corps is formed at St. Thomas Aquinas SHS, Accra. Customs cadets begin at Kpetoe SHS.
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2003
National Cadet Corps, Ghana
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the National Youth Council set up the national cadet desk at Ghana Literacy House as the coordinating point for all cadet activity.
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2016
Immigration cadets
The first Immigration Cadet Corps is inaugurated at NVTI Assin Fosu.
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2019
76,577 cadets
The corps counts 76,577 cadets in about 1,276 basic, secondary and tertiary institutions, each with at least 60 members.
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2026
Ten thousand on parade
About 10,000 cadets march at the National Cadet Youth Parade at Black Star Square.
Our aims
- Sustain vibrant, effective cadetting that produces disciplined young people in a changing society.
- Promote a practical interest in Ghana's security institutions among young people.
- Provide training that is useful in both the services and civilian life.
- Develop leadership, positive values, loyalty, devotion to duty, self-respect and civic awareness.
- Inculcate patriotism and commitment to the nation.
- Train cadets in basic leadership skills so they can respond to national disasters.
- Bring uniformity among student cadets and help young people reach their goals.
- Help cadets develop their talents, leadership qualities and self-reliance.
Core values
Loyalty
Love for country and respect for lawful authority, shown through high standards of discipline and training.
Respect
Exemplary conduct, honesty and the moral strength to tell right from wrong.
Obligation and duty
Taking training seriously and serving the corps with dedication and pride.
Leadership
Leading by example and inspiring fellow cadets to reach their potential, in class and in training.
Discipline
Doing what must be done, on time and to the best of one's ability — even when it is hard.
Adventurous spirit
The daring to explore the unknown and widen one's outlook.
One corps, every region
The National Cadet Corps is an amalgamation of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Fire, Customs and Immigration cadet corps. It is the largest organised youth educative organisation in Ghana, present in all sixteen regions and ready to mobilise for national development duties.
