The Minister for Defence, Honourable Dominic Nitiwul has disclosed that Ghana would host a 2-day United Nations (UN) Global Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference, first of its kind on the African continent from 5-6 December 2023.

He made the declaration during a press briefing on Sunday, 3 December 2023 at the Ministry of Information in Accra, where he highlighted the challenges of peacekeeping operations, protection of civilians, as well as generation support from stakeholders.

Hon Nitiwul revealed that the conference would serve a platform for Member States to strengthen their contribution to the UN since it would attract participants from 80 to 100 member states including Foreign and Defence Ministers, Heads of International Organisations, Academia, Social partners, Civil Society Organisations, Journalists as well as okey players in the peacekeeping domain.

He further disclosed that the forum would create the space for open, frank and informed exchange of views on the challenges confronting peacekeepers and the options available for the revitalisation of peacekeeping operations in many parts of the world.

He hinted that the session would also discuss existing efforts to improve mission’s capacity, protect and safeguard the mental health, safety and security of peacekeepers. “This conference will address the issues of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech targeting peacekeeping missions, which often fuel discontent for peacekeeping operations”, he added.

Hon Nitiwul said the forum would generally showcase a digital exhibition of role of Africa role in the UN Peacekeeping Enterprise, the Elsie Initiative as well as bilateral meetings. He extolled the Ghana Armed Forces for being at the forefront of UN peacekeeping for decades.

Present at the conference were Minister of Information, Honourable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Kwaku Ampratwum–Sarpong, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, Chief of Staff (COS) at the General Headquarters, Major General Nicholas Peter Andoh, Commander Air Force Base Accra, Air Commodore Eric Agyen-Frempong, Director-General International Peace Support Operations (DG IPSO), Brigadier General Augustine Asiedu, and Chief Staff Officer (CSO) Army, Brigadier General Barima Brako Owusu.