The Army Peace Operations Training School (APOTS) and the Dallaire Institute Africa Centre of Excellence for Children, Peace and Security have conducted a 14-day armed conflict training at Battle Training Camp (BTC), Bundase.

The training of trainers programme, which ended on Friday 4 October 2024, had participants from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the Ghana Police Service (GPS). It was designed to enhance their capacity to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.

In his remarks, the Commander of Army Training Command (ATRAC), Brigadier General Stephen Woseadzikpo Kwaku Parbey, revealed that the training had equipped participants with the skills and knowledge to convey the Dallaire Institute’s child protection awareness. He urged them to incorporate these lessons into their unit training programmes, highlighting the enlightenment gained through the course.

He commended the training coordinator for the Dallaire Institute Africa Centre of Excellence (DIACE), Mr Jean Baptiste Bizimungu, for organising the training. 

Brig Gen Parbey further stated that the programme would raise awareness and help reverse the negative trend of recruiting and using children in armed conflict through the effective implementation of the Vancouver Principles in peacekeeping.

Mr Bizimungu emphasised that, through training, policy guidance, and support, the Institute enhances the security sector’s effectiveness in preventing violations of children’s rights. He encouraged GAF and GPS participants to share the knowledge they had gained to foster a peaceful environment for future generations.