CAPITAL CLOSE-UP

more than their time zone. After IACE, they come
home with a deeper understanding of other cultures,
more self-confidence and lasting friendships. And what
they leave behind is just as valuable, according to CAP
National Commander Maj. Gen. Antonio J. Pineda.
“IACE is very important, not just to our cadets, but
also to the cadets who come here from other countries,”
he said. “These kids are going to be future leaders of
these countries, and by fostering in all of them a better
understanding of each other, perhaps we will be able to
avoid some of the problems we face today. We are certainly
happy to have Ghana as a part of this wonderful
process.”
“The number of cadets in Ghana is steadily growing,”
said Nicholas Nii Tettey-Amarteifio, Ghana’s national
cadet coordinator, who delivered a PowerPoint presentation
on his country during CAP’s March Winter
National Board meeting.
“Our future plans include establishment of a glider
training school for cadets and a logistics unit to train
and support disaster management activities,” he said.
The National Cadet Corps of Ghana, an amalgamation
of the west African nation’s army, navy, air force,
police and fire cadet groups, will send two cadets and
one escort to the U.S. this summer, and CAP will send
an observer there.
“We are sending an adult observer to this year’s
exchange program in Ghana to see what they’re offering
other cadets from other countries who are going this
year,” said Rob Smith, CAP’s deputy director for aerospace
education, cadet programs and professional development.
For more than 60 years, IACE has given cadets from
across the world the life-changing opportunity to learn
about other cultures and other places in the most effective
way possible — through experience. Now, Ghana’s
9,000 cadets from ages 17 to 20 will have the chance to
enrich this experience.
“This will be a unique adventure,” said Lt. Col.
Beverly L. Scoggins, a CAP volunteer escort for the IACE
program, noting the country is only about 50 years old.
“Ghana is a great addition to our IACE family.”
In addition to Ghana, CAP members will visit
Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong,
Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore,
Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom this year.
To qualify for IACE, CAP cadets must be at least 17
years old and have earned the Amelia Earhart Award.
The program is promoted in CAP as “character development
with a global vision.”
“Our cadets develop a better vision of the challenges
other countries face,” Smith explained. “This helps combat
hatred and intolerance. And it works both ways.
Foreign cadets gain a better understanding of America,
too.
“There is a global need in the aerospace industry for
youth to be excited about aviation and aerospace,”
Smith said, adding, “IACE is one way to do that.” ▲
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Civil Air Patrol Volunteer 15 May-June 2007