National Security Minister lauds introduction of Countering Violent Extremism Course at KAIPTC
Accra, 14th August 2017: There is no doubt that violent extremism continues to pose daunting security challenges and undermines continental, regional and national peace and security.
It is against this background that the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), and the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT/CAERT), is collaborating to organize the maiden Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Course, aimed at building capacities in preventing and countering violent extremism in Africa.
The Minister for National Security, Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah, in his opening address, expressed his delight over the introduction of the course, which he believes will immensely benefit the African continent, “I am particularly excited about this course, in view of the huge threat that violent extremism and terrorism poses to all nations around the world and especially the African Continent”, he said.
He noted that the course was timely, as Africa keeps recording terrorism and extremist acts in increasing proportions. “Just in 2017, Somalia experienced both suicide and car bombings from suspected Al-Shabab sympathizers. Nigeria has also been grappling with attacks from Boko Haram, as have Egypt, Libya, Mali and Cameroun.”
The Honorable Minister assured participants of a crop of high-caliber facilitators, who with their avid participation and co-operation, will explore practical solutions to the challenge at hand.
He further charged participants to fully understand and grasp the importance of information management, and review the existing legal instruments, frameworks and practices for both terrorism and violent extremism at all levels, with the purpose of identifying gaps, while highlighting the good practices.
The two-week course aims at building individual skills and enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of personnel of UN, AU, Regional and National Institutions to prevent Violent Extremism. Some themes to be covered during the course include the Introduction and Context of Violent Extremism, Youth and Violent Extremism, Cyber Security and Violent Extremism, Countering Violent Extremism in Africa, as well as Global, Regional, National Strategies and Violent Extremism.