Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Army Peace Operations Training School (APOTS) has conducted its first-ever international Gender in Peace Support Operations Course for personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
The Course which commenced on Monday 4 to Friday 15 September, 2023, was the first collaborative training between APOTS and the British Peace Support Team Africa (BPST-A), since the School attained the covetous United Nations certification status.
According to the Commander APOTS – Colonel (Col) Clement Dingane, the course was aimed at equipping participants with the requisite knowledge on gender issues within Peace Support Operations (PSO), while offering a medium for participants from different countries and services within the West African sub-Region, to share experiences and best international practices.
He posited that the course was targeted at gender focal point Officers, to enable them develop and strengthen awareness of their roles and responsibilities in PSOs, as well as effectively integrate gender perspectives in missions.
The International Humanitarian Law and Protection of Civilians Advisor to the BPST-A – Mr Andrew Powell, stated that the collaboration between APOTS and BPST-A is an important one which recognizes the efforts the school is making to become a Centre of Excellence in the sub-Region, and assured of his outfits’ commitment in partnering with APOTS to see it become a pioneer Training Centre of Excellence (TCE), for future peacekeepers.
Participants received United Nations accredited certificates.
Credit: Ghana Army PR
