Kofi Ampeah Woode
The importance of realistic practical training as part of the overall capacity-building strategy in Peace Operations, has been pin-pointed to continue to occupy the collective attention of all agencies, since the changing nature of armed conflicts across the globe, require that planning and execution of activities within peace support theatres, are done jointly and in an integrated manner.
That point was driven home by Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Daniel Kwadjo Frimpong (Rtd) as the Guest of Honour, at the climax of Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College’s (GAFCSC) 2 weeks training in Peace Operations on Friday June 2, 2023, to enhance capabilities of Senior African Military Officers, to carry out their various responsibilities, consistent with rule-of-law, accountability and transparency.
General Frimpong pointed out various multi-dimensional tasks in theatres of Peace Operations such as humanitarian relief efforts, stabilisation operations, security sector reforms, support for reconstruction and economic recovery, governance and democratic reconstruction among others, and said the participants have been trained in the planning and management of peace operations at the strategic, operational and tactical levels.
He continued that the course was designed to expose them to critical understanding of the concept and practice of peace operations in an international setting, as it made them better appreciate the nature and evolution of peace operations, in response to the changing conflict dynamics in contemporary times.
The course package, which helped to draw attention to command, staff and leadership challenges in the field, exposed participants to the theories and principles underlying peace support operations, and afforded them opportunity to network with professionals from a variety of agencies, with facilitators such as Major General Henry Kwame Anyidoho (Rtd), Brig Gen Ben Kusi, Deputy Commissioner of Police Vans Baba Gariba and Ambassador Joseph Felli.
GAFCSC’s two-week Peace Operations Course 2023, which commenced on Monday 22 May 2023, sought to equip the Senior Officers with critical understanding of peace operations as a concept and practice in the international system.
The course is organized under its Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Defence and International Politics (MDIP) Course 44, with 85 Regular Students from Benin, Botswana, la Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Togo, and additional 9 weekend students.
There were additional 13 external participants from Ghana’s governmental agencies such as National Security Ministry, Ghana Immigration Service, National Intelligence Bureau, Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Multimedia Broadcasting Company, Metro Television, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
