(Accra, Ghana – October 31, 2024) – The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) celebrated a milestone on October 31, 2024, marking its 20th anniversary with an event in Accra that underscored two decades of pioneering contributions to peace and security across Africa and beyond. This historic gathering brought together high-ranking officials from Ghana’s defense sector, diplomats, international partners, and other key stakeholders.
Under the theme, “Celebrating Two Decades of Peacekeeping & Peacebuilding Excellence: Reflecting on KAIPTC’s Journey and Its Contributions to Peace & Security Efforts in Africa and Beyond,” the anniversary highlighted the vision that led to KAIPTC’s founding under Ghana’s Ministry of Defence in 1998 and its commissioning in 2004.
Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, Chief of Naval Staff, delivered the keynote address, representing Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, Ghana’s Chief of the Defence Staff and member of the KAIPTC Governing Board. He praised KAIPTC’s evolution from a peacekeeping training center into a comprehensive hub for research, policy development, and academic excellence.
“This institution has become a beacon of hope, a foundation for peace, and a catalyst for regional stability,” Rear Admiral Yakubu stated.
Reflecting on KAIPTC’s journey, Rear Admiral Yakubu noted that it has transformed into a critical institution in the peace and security landscape, with thousands of professionals trained over the years. According to Rear Admiral Yakubu, the Centre’s programs equip participants with essential skills and knowledge to address modern-day conflict and post-conflict challenges. He acknowledged that the KAIPTC’s work remains crucial as conflict dynamics evolve, mentioning the threats posed by non-state armed groups, violence against civilians, the impact of COVID-19, and ongoing regional instability.
“We must remain unwavering in our commitment to peace and security principles,” he urged, highlighting the need to protect civilians, uphold human rights, and involve marginalized groups in peace processes, aligning with both the United Nations Charter and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Major General Richard Addo Gyane, Commandant of KAIPTC, paid tribute to the foresight of the Centre’s founders and to KAIPTC’s ongoing legacy of peacekeeping excellence.
“The establishment of KAIPTC encapsulates Ghana’s legacy in peacekeeping, and we owe much to those who envisioned a dedicated institution for training military, police, and civilian personnel in peace support operations,” he said.
Major General Gyane highlighted KAIPTC’s academic evolution, including the 2023 transformation of the Women, Peace, and Security Institute into the Women, Youth, Peace, and Security Institute, broadening its scope to champion inclusivity. He also announced the recent creation of the Kofi Annan School of Peace and Security Studies under the National Defence University, which expands the Centre’s academic offerings to include undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Over two decades, KAIPTC has trained over 30,000 military, police, and civilian participants, preparing them to face the complex demands of peace support operations. Its expanding mission now includes Master’s and Ph.D. programs in Peace and Security Studies, and its Women, Youth, Peace, and Security Institute aligns with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 2250, prioritizing gender and youth inclusion in peace processes.
The event underscored KAIPTC’s reliance on invaluable support from international partners, including Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Nigeria, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Closing the event, Major General Gyane thanked the gathered audience and partners, reaffirming KAIPTC’s commitment to advancing peace and security across Africa and beyond. As it celebrates two decades of achievements, KAIPTC remains dedicated to shaping the future of peace support, driven by the vision of a more stable, secure, and inclusive Africa.
