Kofi Ampeah Woode
The 3rd edition of the Kofi Annan Peace and Security (KAPS) Forum has successfully ended with a call on African nations to prioritize good governance to ensure rapid development, which will ultimately lead to increased development and jobs for the youth, thereby reducing migration.
Ghana’s Minister for Defence, and Member of Parliament (MP) for Bimbilla – Mr Dominic Bingab Aduna Nitiwul made the call as the Chief Guest, when he addressed the closing ceremony of the two-day international symposium, held from 28 to 29 February 2024, at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Teshie, Accra, Ghana.
Minister Nitiwul stated that various leaders in the West African sub-region must let their voices be heard on the demand of the people for good governance, and that respect for term-limits for every President, to ensure the survival of democracy, are put on the front-burner of discussions.
He continued to say that failure to put in place the necessary governance structures to reduce the desire to engage in illegal migration, will continue to have dire consequences on the security of Africa, particularly the youth.
Speaking to the results of KAPS ’24, which was organized by KAIPTC, with the support of the Norwegian and German Governments, Mr Nitiwul said deliberations on the critical issue of migration and societal resilience were intensive and fruitful, and have heightened awareness on the emerging dynamics of migration in Africa, and the role of various stakeholders in addressing associated challenges.
He encouraged practitioners and decision-makers in Africa, to find the means to implement the key policy recommendations from the conference, which was not lacking in sharing of ideas variously, and had participation of a large retinue of dignified international personalities and organizations, as well as online participation.
There were representations from key institutions including the United Nations, African Union, European Union, Economic Community of West African States, Embassies/High Commissions, academia and policy-making institutions, and many other stakeholders, whose two-day deliberations culminated into crafting key policy recommendations, which were captured in a communique.
The forum also paid attention to inter-connected issues including climate change, conflict, gender and youth, transnational organized crimes, building regional capacities to mitigate migration and conflicts in Africa, and developing and supporting strategic initiatives to minimize the challenges, such as poverty and unemployment, especially among the youth.
Among the personages who participated in the KAPS ’24 were; His Excellency (HE) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo – President of Ghana; HE Yayi Boni – Former President, Republic of Benin; HE Hailemariam Dessalegn Boshe – Former Prime Minister, Ethiopia; HE Mrs. Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang – Former Vice President of The Gambia; HE Chief Dr Jewel Howard-Taylor – Former Vice President of Liberia;
Additionally there were HE Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas – African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns, and Chairman of the KAPS Forum; HE Leonardo Santos Simão – Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel; HE Moussa Faki Mahamat – Chairperson, African Union, Commission; Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, Phd – Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS Commission; HE Irchad Razaaly – Ambassador of the European Union to Ghana, amongst many.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
