Profile of Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong, Commandant, KAIPTC
Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong, Commandant, KAIPTC
Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong is a distinguished fighter pilot and a serving officer in the Ghana Armed Forces (Air Force). He has over three decades of experience in aviation, military and peacekeeping operations.
Prior to his confirmation as Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Air Vice Marshal David Akrong served as Acting Commandant and was the immediate past Deputy Commandant of the institution. In this capacity, he implemented Women, Peace, and Security programmes, fostering female leadership in peacebuilding and development. He also directed youth-focused peacebuilding initiatives, incorporating innovative leadership strategies for sustainable national growth and oversaw the coordination of high-level workshops, which produced actionable frameworks for peace and security initiatives across regions.
Before joining the KAIPTC fraternity, he served with the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Department as an aviation planner, where he provided strategic leadership and oversight for the operations of the Continental Movement Coordination Center at the AU for the African Standby Force (ASF). He was the team lead who reviewed the African Standby Force Strategic Lift Concept for the African Standby Force (ASF) in 2018. In June 2022 at the invitation of the AU Peace Support Operations Division, he assisted in developing the Statement of Unit Requirements (SUR) for the Attack Helicopter Unit for African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) – June 2022. He is a subject matter expert (SME) on Strategic Lift for the ASF.
He has facilitated collaboration with regional standby forces, international organizations, and partners to ensure seamless operational execution. He has also supervised the development of policies and frameworks to enhance the Centre’s capacity to support stakeholders ensuring effective communication and operational readiness.
Air Vice Marshal David Akrong holds a diploma in military studies from the Ghana Military Academy, Teshie; Postgraduate Certificate in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Legon- Accra; Diploma in Logistics Management from North Kent College, UK; and Master’s in Military Operational Art and Science (small wars and counterinsurgency) from Air University, Montgomery Alabama, USA. In addition, he holds a Masterclass Certificate in Corporate Strategy and Competitive Advantage from M-Gibbs College of Business and Management, UK.
He is a full member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI), United States of America.
With extensive experience in the United Nations peace missions, including roles in Liberia, Western Sahara, and Sierra Leone, Air Vice Marshal Akrong brings a wealth of experience in Peace Support Operations and the empowerment of women and youth in peacebuilding initiatives in his new role as Commandant.
He is married with two children. His hobbies include playing golf, reading and riding motorbikes.