The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training centre (KAIPTC) has officially opened the seventh edition of a two-week training course titled ‘Defence in a wider security context’ Monday.
The course which is aimed at restoring professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness of the security and defence sectors to consolidate democracy in developing and transitional democracies, drew participants including security personnel from Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo and Ghana.
Commandant of the KAIPTC AVM Griffith Santrofi Evans welcoming the participants explained the essence of the course saying, “the African civil-military context differs significantly from that of advanced democracies. Nonetheless, governance and management of defence and security sectors are essential to the consolidation of democracy in developing and transitional democracies, especially with regards to issues of efficiency and effectiveness of the security and defence sectors.
He said: “Ghana has been generally perceived as a stable and peaceful nation in a sub-region plagued by protracted conflicts and political instability. However, beneath this veneer of peace is the fundamental issue of the role of the security and defence sectors in ensuring the continuity of the process and I hope this training programme draws your minds to ideas, information, interpretations that will lead to the identification of appropriate policies, principles and techniques to advance defence and security sector development in Africa.
He added: ”These two weeks is one of a series of efforts to equip you adequately to enable participants make your individual and collective contributions to reforms aimed at restoring professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness of the security and defence sectors to consolidate democracy in developing and transitional democracies, especially, Africa. I will urge all participants to share whatever professional experiences they have and learnt from each other so they can benefit fully from the course.”
The British Government has been sponsoring the course since its inception, with support from the United Kingdom Defence Academy and Cranfield University.
The British High Commissioner to Ghana Ian Walker said “in the last 24 months, we have witnessed the conclusion of UN peace support operations in Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire; both significant achievements that reflect very positive developments. How Defence is managed and how nations design their strategies and policies is therefore key in setting the appropriate framework for the delivery of security for our people.”
“The UK government believes that it is in our national interest to promote prosperity and security in Africa. We value our relationship with our partners – who we wish to see stable, prosperous and secure. That is why we work to support partners in addressing challenges and why we seek to maximise the opportunities of each of our African partners. “
He urged participants to learn, share their experiences and expertise, focusing on what they have in common and what areas should be prioritized.
Source:Starrfm.com.gh