Kofi Ampeah Woode
A year long program has been launched to commemorate 20 years of the establishment of one of three of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) prestigious Training Centre of Excellence (TCE) – the dynamic, peace-focused, Africa-centric Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
An array of personalities converged at the KAIPTC on Thursday 31 October 2024, with the Guest of Honour being the Chief of the Naval Staff, Ghana Navy – Rear Admiral (R/Adm) Issah Adam Yakubu (deputizing for Chief of the Defence Staff – Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah), supported by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Ghana Army – Major General (Maj Gen) Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, and the Commandant, KAIPTC – Maj Gen Richard Addo Gyane.
The Guest of Honour spoke of how KAIPTC has significantly enhanced peace and security initiatives over the past two decades, and has emerged a vital institution in this crucial field.
He added that over time, the Centre has strategically evolved, leveraging the expertise of its dedicated staff, to train thousands of participants, equipping them with essential knowledge and skills to effectively address the complex challenges in modern conflict and post-conflict environment.
Speaking to the origins of KAIPTC, he said the Centre was originally established as a training institution that prepares students and participants for peace support operations, however, when it became apparent that research is vital in addressing broader social issues, the Centre innovated by creating a research department to enhance its training programmes.
The Centre then introduced academic programmes leading to PhD and Master’s degrees, and has since experienced remarkable growth, establishing a niche in the fields of peace and security, both on the continent and beyond, he added.
KAIPTC is the first TCE to enhance its commitment to the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, by establishing the Women Peace and Security Institute, which evolved into Women, Youth, Peace and Security Institute (WYPSI), playing a vital role in advocating for gender values and organizing numerous forums to further the cause of women and the youth.
“KAIPTC has established itself as a key hub for peacekeeping training, research and policy development, equipping civilian actors as well as military, police and other security agencies involved in peacekeeping operations with essential skills and knowledge”, Admiral Yakubu stated.
However, R/Adm IA Yakubu stated that the dynamic nature of conflict, rise of non-state armed groups, its profound impact of violence on civilian populations, impact of COVID-19 pandemic, instability, conflicts, driven by complex factors perpetuating insecurity, presents KAIPTC with more work ahead.
As West Africa commemorates KAIPTC’s 20th anniversary, he urged all to remain unwavering in commitment to advancing the principles of peace and security, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, admonishing that priority must be the protection of civilians, promoting human rights, including women, youth and marginalized groups in peace processes.
Delivering the welcome address at the launch, Maj Gen RA Gyane recounted the antecedents of the KAIPTC, saying that 20 years ago, the idea was mooted within the circles of the Military High Command, for Ghana to solidify the gains of its internationally acclaimed peacekeeping efforts, with the establishment of an institution that would encapsulate lessons learnt from its experiences.
Ghana’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) established the KAIPTC in 1998 and commissioned it in 2004, with a purpose to consolidate, build upon and share Ghana’s five decades of experience and competence in peace operations, as part of ECOWAS peace initiatives, both within the region and the rest of Africa:
This was in recognition of the need for training military, police and civilian men and women to meet the changing demands of multidimensional peace operations.
The KAIPTC now has a world-class Research Department that undertakes research in the thematic areas of Peace Support Operations, Conflict Management and Peace and Security Studies, and has till date trained and tutored over 25,000 participants, while it also collaborates with partners to host peace and security activities at regional and continental levels.
He paid tribute to past Commandants of KAIPTC: Maj Gen Clayton Boanubah Yaache, Brigadier General (Brig Gen) GLA Ayi Bonte, Brig Gen DH Mankattah, Maj Gen Attipoe, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) CEK Dovlo, Lieutenant General Obed Boamah Akwa, AVM Griffiths Santrofi Evans and Maj Gen Francis Ofori.
A host of dignitaries were present at the anniversary launch.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
