The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Center (KAIPTC) has hosted its first-ever editor’s forum in a significant move to enhance public understanding and influence policy on peace and security in Africa.
The initiative aims to elevate the center’s role as a primary resource for African peace and security issues and to forge a robust partnership with the media.
During the welcome address, Major General R.A. Gyane, Commandant of KAIPTC, underscored the vital role of media engagement in this new partnership.
“Engaging with the media marks the dawn of a promising alliance between KAIPTC and the press. This collaboration is essential for sharing the remarkable achievements of our training center of excellence,” Major General Gyane stated.
Despite its esteemed reputation among institutional partners and in the sub-region, KAIPTC faces a paradox of recognition within its own homeland, Ghana.
“It’s astonishing that the center is better recognized outside than among our own people, some of whom are unaware of its existence and its location,” Major General Gyane remarked.
The forum serves as a platform to reverse this narrative, showcasing KAIPTC’s programs and activities to Ghanaians and encouraging them to leverage the center’s proximity for enhancing their knowledge on continental peace and security.
Established in 1998 by the Ghana Armed Forces under the tutelage of the Ministry of Defence, KAIPTC has evolved into a beacon of peace and security training, sharing Ghana’s rich peacekeeping experience with others in the sub-region and beyond.
Since operationalizing its first course in 2004, the center has trained over 31,000 individuals from various African countries, equipping them with the skills needed for peacekeeping operations, mediation, and conflict resolution.
KAIPTC’s alumni play pivotal roles in maintaining peace and security within their respective countries, holding significant leadership positions.
Major General Gyane emphasized the center’s commitment to extend its research and policy development in areas such as conflict analysis, maritime security, terrorism, and violent extremism.
“We are devoted to generating knowledge and evidence-based policies to inform African governments and international organizations, striving for sustainable peace.”
He disclosed that in its quest to expand reach and scope, KAIPTC plans to open external campuses in Kumasi, Ghana, Lagos, Nigeria, among other locations.
The center also intends to introduce security studies courses tailored for young graduates, equipping them with tools to contribute to peace and security from their own backyards.
According to him, a partnership with the University of Development Studies (UDS) is set to roll out a peace and security program, leading to diploma and master’s programs on the UDS campus.
Furthermore, KAIPTC is dedicated to implementing and strengthening the women and youth peace and security agenda on the continent.
The Commandant indicated that KAIPTC will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year to mark the year it officially started offering training courses and programmes in security and others.
The anniversary, he said, will involve a yearlong series of activities highlighting its dedication, achievements, and endurance in the pursuit of peace.
“The anniversary is a testament to our enduring commitment to peace and security, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with our partners and the wider community,” Major General Gyane added.
The editor’s forum not only offers an opportunity to share insights but also underscores the media’s crucial role in shaping the implementation of KAIPTC’s plans for the future.
This initiative promises to enhance the center’s contribution to peace and security in Africa, reflecting the enduring legacy of Kofi Annan’s vision for a peaceful continent.