Kofi Ampeah Woode
Ghana Army’s Peace Operations Training School (APOTS), in partnership with the Dallaire Institute, has commenced a five-day Basic Course on the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Children in Armed Conflict, for personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the Ghana Police Service (GPS).
The course began on Monday, 28 April 2025, at the Army Peacekeeping Operations Training School (APOTS), Battle Training Camp (BTC), Bundase.
The Commander, APOTS – Colonel (Col) Reuben Dela Klutse, in his welcome address, stated that the training is designed to enhance the capacity of GAF and GPS personnel, to effectively prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts.
The Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony, and Commander, Army Training Command (CATRAC) – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Stephen Woseadzikpo Kweku Parbey, expressed appreciation to the Dallaire Institute and the Police Service for their collaborative efforts in organizing the programme.
Brig Gen SWK Parbey highlighted the alarming global trend of children – as young as 8 and 9 years old – being used in armed conflicts, and underscored the importance of training security sector personnel, to raise awareness and reverse the negative implications related to the Vancouver Principles in peacekeeping operations.
He further stated that the Dallaire Institute’s programmes are practitioner-focused and internationally recognized, and that the course will be facilitated by highly experienced experts, who will share first-hand knowledge in conflict resolution, second-generation peacekeeping, and global security.
The Dallaire Institute was founded by a renowned humanitarian and retired Canadian Senator, and former Force Commander, United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda, from 1993 to 1994 – Lieutenant General (Retired) Roméo Dallaire.
Credit: APOTS PR
