KAIPTC hosts past Commandants to share insights on new Strategic Plan
Accra, 7th May 2019: For the first time since its establishment, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has hosted its past Commandants. The objective of this novel idea initiated by the Commandant, AVM Evans, was to create a unique platform to reconnect and engage with them for the advancement of the Centre.
In 2019, the Centre entered a new phase; it began the implementation of its five-year strategic plan which stipulates a demand –driven approach to undertaking the business of the Centre to enable it to remain relevant and sustainable. The meeting was therefore meant for the past Commandants to share their experiences and invaluable insights for the achievement of the new plan, and for the general governance of the Centre.
In chronological order of service, the past Commandants who attended the meeting comprised Maj Gen CNB Yaache (1998 – 2001), Brig Gen GLA Ayi-Bonte (2001 – 2002), AVM CEK Dovlo (2009 – 2013), Lt Gen OB Akwa (2013 – 2016), who is currently the Chief of Defence Staff. Brig Gen Mankattah and Maj Gen Attipoe, who are both deceased, also served from 2002 – 2005, and 2005 – 2009 respectively.
The incoming Commandant of KAIPTC, Brig Gen Francis Ofori was also in attendance as part of an elaborate onboarding programme for his imminent assumption of office.
After receiving a presentation and briefs from the Directors of the various departments, discussions, advice, insights and proposals were shared on a vast number of issues; some highlights are given below;
- The completion of the new training and academic block to facilitate the expansion of the academic programmes
- Strategies for resource mobilisation to strengthen the financial base of the Centre
- The introduction of a flagship policy forum for KAIPTC
- The new strategic direction of the Women, Peace and Security Institute
- The repositioning of KAIPTC in the face of rising competition
- The increase in KAIPTC publications aimed at deepening knowledge and understanding of critical issues around African peace and security
- Engagement with ECOWAS, the African Union and other international actors on training and research
- The improvements in the physical infrastructure at the Centre
- New partnerships with the private sector to build a new accommodation block
Taking turns to share their views, Gen Yaache who was the first Commandant was full of pride and joy at the growth of the Centre, recalling the very humble and difficult beginnings of the Centre. Gen Ayi-Bonte also expressed his gratitude for the invitation, also recounting some challenging times to stabilise the Centre financially in its early days. He also expressed his delight over the leaps the Centre had made over the years and wished it well for the future. For AVM Dovlo, it was the genuine passion for the work of the Centre that continues to make it grow and stand out. He noted that the longevity of the Centre is hinged on this passion and excellence and urged all not to lose these admirable values. Lt Gen Akwa advised that the three pillars of communication, co-operation and coordination should be the guide principles for the continuous success of the Centre.
On his part, the incoming Commandant, Brig Gen Francis Ofori was deeply thankful for the opportunity to gain great insights into the operations of the Centre.
AVM Evans thanked all in attendance especially the former and incoming Commandants for honouring the invitations. He expressed his deepest gratitude to the former Commandants, including the deceased, for their brilliant job in building the firm foundations of KAIPTC. He commended them for setting exemplary leadership standards for successors to follow, and for their role in making it a reputable international institution.
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For further information, please contact the Corporate Affairs Unit of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) on +233302-718200 ext 1104/1203 or +233 550 303030. You can find the KAIPTC on Facebook and twitter as: @Kaiptcgh. You can further find out more about the KAIPTC on our website: www.kaiptc.org.
About the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre:
The Ghana Ministry of Defence (MoD) established the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in 1998 and commissioned it in 2004. The purpose was to build upon and share Ghana’s five decades of internationally acclaimed experience and competence in peace operations with other states in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region and the rest of Africa. This was in recognition of the need for training military, police and civilian men and women to meet the changing demands of multidimensional peace operations. The Centre is one of the three (3) Peacekeeping Training Centres of Excellence mandated by the ECOWAS to offer training in peacekeeping and peace support operations (PSO) in Africa.
The Centre delivers training courses in three thematic areas; Peace Support Operations, Conflict Management and Peace and Security Studies and also runs Masters and PhD programmes in same. The KAIPTC has a world-class research department that undertakes research in the thematic areas in Peace and Security. Located in Accra, Ghana, the KAIPTC is an internationally recognised institution and has to date trained and tutored over 18,500 participants and students since its inception.
KAIPTC is a gender-sensitive organisation and committed to gender equality. Following the launch of its gender policy in 2014, the Centre has mainstreamed gender into its policies and programmes, and integrates same in its focal areas, namely training, research and postgraduate education. The Centre has developed a Sexual Harassment policy and fully oriented employees on same. It has also provided a Nursing and Childcare Centre and instituted a paternity leave policy, all with the aim to create a conducive work environment at KAIPTC.