The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has launched its 20th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday 31 October 2024.

The event was held under the theme, “Celebrating Two Decades of Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding Excellence: Reflecting on KAIPTC’s Journey and its Contributions to Peace and Security Efforts in Africa and Beyond.”

On behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, praised KAIPTC for its significant contributions to promoting peace and security across Africa and beyond since its establishment in 2004. He emphasised KAIPTC’s role in advancing peace and security initiatives over the past two decades and recognised its evolution into a pivotal institution in this field.

Rear Admiral Yakubu described KAIPTC as a crucial hub for peacekeeping, research, and policy development, equipping civilian actors, military personnel, police, and other security agencies with the skills and knowledge necessary for peacekeeping operations. He highlighted the Centre’s extensive training programs and innovative research, which provide valuable insights into peace and security across the continent, positioning KAIPTC as a beacon of hope and a preferred resource for enhancing peace and stability.

The CNS remarked that the 20th Anniversary serves as a reminder of the Centre’s steadfast commitment to upholding the principles of peace and stability enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the African Union Agenda 2063. He encouraged everyone to recommit to the pursuit of peace and security, drawing inspiration from the legacy of the late Kofi Annan, whose dedication to diplomacy, dialogue, and collaboration inspires efforts toward a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Major General Richard Addo Gyane, the Commandant of KAIPTC, acknowledged the contributions of pioneers, former Commandants, Chiefs of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Minister of Defence, stakeholders, and partners in supporting the institution’s establishment and achievements. He noted that KAIPTC is one of three Peacekeeping Training Centres of Excellence mandated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to provide training in peacekeeping and Peace Support Operations across Africa. Since its inception, the Centre has grown from offering courses in Peace Support Operations, Conflict Management, and Peace Security Studies to running Master’s and PhD programs aimed at equipping students with skills in analytical thinking, sound judgment, leadership, and other critical abilities in Peace and Security.

Major General Addo Gyane also highlighted KAIPTC’s achievements, including the establishment of a world-class Research Department focused on various thematic areas in peace and security. The institution has gained international recognition and has collaborated with numerous partners to host peace and security programs at both regional and continental levels. Additionally, the former Women, Peace, and Security Institute was expanded into a full department, and the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research was restructured into an Applied Research Department and a Faculty of Academic Affairs, among other accomplishments.