Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) hosted the newly appointed Ambassador-Designate of Japan to Ghana – His Excellency (HE) Yoshimoto Hiroshi, to the Centre, marking an important milestone in the longstanding partnership between the KAIPTC and the Government of Japan, which began in 2008.
Ambassador Hiroshi engaged with the Commandant of the KAIPTC – Major General (Maj Gen) Richard Addo Gyane, and members of the Executive Management Committee of KAIPTC, in a series of discussions, on Wednesday 18 December 2024.
The discussions focused on the Centre’s ongoing programs supported by Japan, which span critical areas such as capacity development on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), and operational activities under the Accra Initiative, implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The two parties also reflected on past collaborative efforts, including programs addressing terrorism in peacekeeping, border security management, and violent extremism and terrorism.
The Commandant expressed profound gratitude to the Government of Japan for its unwavering support over the years, and highlighted his recent visit to Japan, which served to strengthen ties with Japanese partners, demonstrating the impact of their contributions to KAIPTC’s initiatives, and outlining the Centre’s future goals under its new strategic plan.
In response, HE Hiroshi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting KAIPTC’s mission to promote peace and security in the West African sub-region, and emphasized the Centre’s pivotal role in building capacity across Africa, citing future areas of collaboration to include joint capacity training for border security initiatives, capacity building for police personnel, and election-related programs.
This visit underscores the enduring partnership between the KAIPTC and Japan, reinforcing their shared vision of advancing peace, security, and stability in Africa and beyond.
Credit: KAIPTC CORPORATE
