Lt. Col. Umar Sanda Ahmed is a distinguished military officer, diplomat, and security expert with extensive experience in religious leadership, governance, and international relations. He is currently serving as a member of the 2025 Ghana Hajj Taskforce with additional responsibility as the Director of Operations overseeing the coordination and execution of Hajj-related activities.

With over two decades of service as the Chief Imam of the Ghana Armed Forces, Lt. Col. Ahmed played a crucial role in fostering religious harmony within the military. His career extended into diplomacy when he was appointed as Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt, with concurrent accreditation to Lebanon, Sudan, and Cyprus. He served in this capacity until his recall in 2017 following the general elections.
Beyond his military and diplomatic service, Lt. Col. Ahmed is the Executive Director of the Africa Security and Diplomacy Center, a think tank dedicated to addressing the intersection of security, governance, and diplomacy in Africa. He is also an active member of the NDC Ambassadors Forum, contributing to discussions on international relations and national development.
Lt. Col. Umar Sanda Ahmed remains a key figure in security and diplomatic circles, bringing his wealth of experience to bear in both national and international engagements.

The imam Ambassador is a product of the University of Ghana, Legon , the Ghana Armed forces Command and Staff College as well as the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.