The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has taken a significant step towards strengthening its network of alumni by launching the first-ever National Alumni Chapter in Sierra Leone.
This initiative marks the beginning of a broader project to establish alumni chapters across various nations, particularly those whose citizens have been trained and impacted by the Centre’s work in peacekeeping and security.
The official launch, led by the Commandant of KAIPTC, Major General Richard Addo Gyane, took place on 11th October 2024 at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown, Sierra Leone. During the ceremony, Maj Gen Gyane swore in an Interim National Executive Committee to spearhead the activities of the new chapter. The selection process for the committee was supervised by Dr. Remember Nyaminge, a Course Facilitator at the KAIPTC.
In his address, Maj Gen Gyane emphasized the importance of the alumni chapters in fostering continued connections among KAIPTC alumni and keeping them updated on developments at the Centre. He noted that the creation of these chapters would allow alumni to engage more actively in institutional and national discussions on issues of mutual interest.
“The alumni of KAIPTC are a testament to the Centre’s mission, spreading across the globe and making a difference wherever they go. Their achievements speak to the quality of training and development they received, and through these national chapters, we aim to keep this community strong and involved in KAIPTC’s growth,” he stated.
The newly inaugurated Sierra Leone chapter will serve as a model for future alumni chapters in other countries. The KAIPTC is already nearing completion of a dedicated office space at its headquarters in Accra, Ghana, which will serve as the central hub for coordinating the activities of all National Alumni Chapters. The event in Freetown was well-attended, with many KAIPTC alumni from Sierra Leone present. The newly sworn-in Interim Executives include John Fayiah Tumbay as President, Suson Coker as Vice President, and Badriatu Turay as Public Relations Officer, among others.