With the objective of exposing civilian experts to the conceptual and institutional frameworks of the African Union (AU) and the Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) multidimensional Peace Support Operations (PSOs), the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) is hosting a special training from 30th August to 10th September 2021.
Organised with the support of the European Union (EU) and the German Government through the ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations (EPSAO) project, The ECOWAS Standby Capacity Civilian Foundation Course (CFC) aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of all components in successfully executing the mandates of AU and RECs/RMs missions.
During the opening ceremony, Maj. Gen. Francis Ofori, the Chief Commandant of the KAIPTC, represented by Colonel Richard Woanya, the Chief Coordinator of the centre, welcomed all participants and underscored the importance of the Civilian Foundation Course noting the KAIPTC’s contribution towards peace and security in the region.
Speaking on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Baba Gana Wakil highlighted the significance of the ECOWAS Standby Force and the importance of building the capacity of the civilian personnel to deploy. Ambassador Wakil thanked GIZ for being a reliable partner in supporting the efforts of ECOWAS towards enhancing Peace and security in the region.
The Deputy Head of the European Union (EU) Mission in Ghana, His Excellency Pieter Smidt van Gelder, expressed his appreciation to KAIPTC for hosting the course and their role in supporting peace support operations. He noted that EU through the EPSAO Programmes enables provision of assistance to ECOWAS and its Regional Training Centers of Excellence and other training institutions to enhance the capacity of the ECOWAS Standby Force. He wished all participants the best in the training and assured that it will serve to further enhance their existing knowledge and understanding of peace and security issues and modalities for the implementation of the mandates of missions that they will be deployed.
Also present at the opening ceremony was Mr. Moritz Fischer, the representative of the Germany Embassy in Ghana who reiterated that the German’s Government is committed to support to peace and security efforts in Africa.
Since its design in 2015, the CFC training package has been used by several training centres of excellence and training institutions, RECs/RMs and the AU to prepare civilian experts for possible deployment into peace support operations. The curriculum was reviewed in December 2019 in Mali and piloted in Accra KAIPTC in June 2021 to ensure that the course is relevant and responsive to current and emerging AU, RECs, RMs peace and security operations’ needs.
The primary objective of this training is to build the capacity and skills sets of civilians within ECOWAS to appreciate the complex and multidimensional nature of PSOs and the dynamic nature of their core functions to improve efficiency and effectiveness in PSOs.
Specifically, the ECOWAS CFC training seeks to introduce civilians to the fundamentals and institutional framework for PSOs, expose civilians to current and emerging needs of civilian actors in contemporary AU/RECs/RMs PSOs and examine the changing roles and capacity requirements of civilians in modern PSOs. Furthermore, the course seeks to ensure all trainees understand AU and ECOWAS mission mandating roles and processes.
For more information on this training, please contact:
GIZ: Alghali, Lucy GIZ NG - lucy.alghali@giz.de
KAIPTC: Danquah, Frederick Agyarko GIZ GH - frederick.danquah@giz.de
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