KAIPTC COMMENCES UN STAFF OFFICER COURSE II ‘23

Thirty participants, comprised of national Military, Police, Prisons, governmental and non-governmental organizations Officers from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Togo, and Uganda, have commenced a three-week United Nations Staff Officer Course, at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), to enhance their capacity to discharge responsibilities consistent with rule-of-law, accountability and transparency.

The 3-week course commenced on Monday 9 October, 2023 at the KAIPTC, Teshie, Accra, with the Director of Training, KAIPTC – Colonel (Col) Anorph Barnabas Akanbong, as the Guest of Honour, at the opening ceremony.

In a presentation, Col Akanbong said, through the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), peace operations are currently the international community’s primary tool for political crisis intervention, conflict resolution and management, and are used in dealing with inter and intra state conflicts.

He continued that, to make these missions successful, an efficient mission headquarters with sound structures and procedures, as well as professional Military, Police and Civilian staff are paramount, therefore, training of personnel for UN mission headquarters is key for successful peace operations presently, and in the future.

For the military personnel participants, Col Akanbong said the course will help expose them to the leadership challenges likely to be faced by Commanders and Staff Officers, in peace operation theatres.

Participants in the German Government sponsored course, also include personnel from ongoing missions like the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

Present at the opening ceremony included the Political Adviser at the German Embassy – Ms Pauline Okkens; the German Representative at KAIPTC – Mr Norbert Wienold; Chief Facilitators of the Course in the persons of Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Benjamin Kusi and Brig Gen Issah Wuni; and the Course Director – Col Emmanuel Sampson.