Ghanaian officer earns her infantry blue cord

Kpamina earned the distinction in April 2021 while learning infantry officer skills as part of the Military Education and Training program, which exposes foreign students to U.S. professional military education.


“I will train recruits to be soldiers. And be a role model for females.” Lt. Kpamina
By Lori Egan For Benning public affairs FORT BENNING, Georgia Apr 21, 2021
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 1 image

Ghanaian Lt. Agatha Kpamina, a soldier with the Ghana Armed Forces, was recognized in mid-April as the first female from one of U.S. Africa Command’s partners – Ghana – to attend and complete the Infantry Officer Basic Leader Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, said Mark Irish, chief of the MCoE’s International Military Student Office.

Medal of Honor recipient retired Capt. Florent “Flo” Groberg, a graduate of the Maneuver Center of Excellence Officer Candidate School and IBOLC, told the graduates that getting the infantry blue cord is like joining a fraternity, a society that expects your best.

“I am proud of myself,” said the 28-year-old officer who spent the last seven months learning different protocols and troop leading procedures.

The infantry blue cord is a U.S. military decoration worn over the right shoulder of all infantry-qualified U.S. Army soldiers.

“Rely on your teammates,” Groberg said. “Because guess what? They'll be there to pick you up. They'll be there to guide you. They'll be there to make sure you make it through.”

Mark Irish, chief of the MCoE’s International Military Student Office, presented Kpamina with the Infantry blue cord and Capt. Jordan Hill, a company commander within the 199th Infantry Brigade, presented the Foreign Military Badge that can be worn on her official uniform.

“It was tough training, but doable,” said Kpamina, whose next tasks include an exam for promotion to captain and assuming her new position as a platoon commander for the Ghana Army Recruit Training School.

“I will train recruits to be soldiers. And be a role model for females.”

Kpamina attended IBOLC through the International Military Education and Training program, which exposes foreign students to U.S. professional military organizations and procedures and the manner in which military organizations function under civilian control.

More in Partnerships
Morocco Hosts Conference to Enhance African Military Leadership
More than 130 enlisted leaders from the U.S. and 30 African countries convened in Rabat, Morocco, June 10-12, for the 7th Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference.
Read more
U.S. and Kenya Conclude Successful 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Nairobi
The United States and Kenya successfully concluded the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD) in Nairobi, Kenya, uniting senior military leaders from approximately 37 African nations to strengthen partnerships, advance African-led security solutions, and address critical challenges such as terrorism and regional instability, May 28-29, 2025.
Read more
AFRICOM, National Guard Leaders Engage in Strategic Dialogue
U.S. Army Major General Garrick Harmon, Director of Strategy, Plans and Programs, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Major General William Edwards Director of Strategic Plans and Policy, and International Affairs, National Guard Bureau joined leaders from the National Guard units of 13 U.S. states and the District of Columbia for a conference to discuss the State Partnership Program on the African continent during the African Chiefs of Defense Conference, on May 27, 2025.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Morocco Hosts Conference to Enhance African Military Leadership
More than 130 enlisted leaders from the U.S. and 30 African countries convened in Rabat, Morocco, June 10-12, for the 7th Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference.
Read more
U.S. and Kenya Conclude Successful 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Nairobi
The United States and Kenya successfully concluded the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD) in Nairobi, Kenya, uniting senior military leaders from approximately 37 African nations to strengthen partnerships, advance African-led security solutions, and address critical challenges such as terrorism and regional instability, May 28-29, 2025.
Read more
AFRICOM, National Guard Leaders Engage in Strategic Dialogue
U.S. Army Major General Garrick Harmon, Director of Strategy, Plans and Programs, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Major General William Edwards Director of Strategic Plans and Policy, and International Affairs, National Guard Bureau joined leaders from the National Guard units of 13 U.S. states and the District of Columbia for a conference to discuss the State Partnership Program on the African continent during the African Chiefs of Defense Conference, on May 27, 2025.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Morocco Hosts Conference to Enhance African Military Leadership
More than 130 enlisted leaders from the U.S. and 30 African countries convened in Rabat, Morocco, June 10-12, for the 7th Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference.
Read more
U.S. and Kenya Conclude Successful 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Nairobi
The United States and Kenya successfully concluded the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD) in Nairobi, Kenya, uniting senior military leaders from approximately 37 African nations to strengthen partnerships, advance African-led security solutions, and address critical challenges such as terrorism and regional instability, May 28-29, 2025.
Read more
AFRICOM, National Guard Leaders Engage in Strategic Dialogue
U.S. Army Major General Garrick Harmon, Director of Strategy, Plans and Programs, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Major General William Edwards Director of Strategic Plans and Policy, and International Affairs, National Guard Bureau joined leaders from the National Guard units of 13 U.S. states and the District of Columbia for a conference to discuss the State Partnership Program on the African continent during the African Chiefs of Defense Conference, on May 27, 2025.
Read more