(Accra, Ghana – February 9, 2026) – The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has officially opened the Joint Campaign Planning Course, bringing together military officers from across Africa to enhance operational planning, strengthen peacekeeping capacities, and prepare for complex security challenges across the continent.
Delivering the welcome address, KAIPTC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong, stressed the increasing complexity of Africa’s security environment and the critical need for advanced training and operational readiness.
“In spite of numerous interventions by regional bodies, conflict situations across Africa remain unstable,” he said. “Crises are more complex than ever, demanding that military personnel develop advanced operational skills while continuing to advocate for peacebuilding.”
Air Vice Marshal Akrong noted that the course is designed to equip participants with operational-level tools and strategies, combining lessons learned from the field, peer learning, and case studies to prepare officers for national and multinational peacekeeping missions.
“This programme is an opportunity to strengthen your skills, share knowledge with colleagues from across Africa, and build networks that will enhance peacekeeping effectiveness in your home countries and beyond,” he added.
Representing the French Ambassador, the Defence Attaché, Colonel Gregoire Madelin highlighted France’s long-standing support for African peacekeeping efforts.
“It marks a milestone in our commitment to enhancing operational capacity and regional security.”
He stressed that modern peacekeeping operations require leaders who can respond to adaptive, technologically sophisticated, and resourceful adversaries. Participants were encouraged to share professional experiences, exchange ideas, and build networks, essential for collective operational success and regional stability.
The French-sponsored course is being attended by 19 participants from 13 African countries. The course will combine lectures, small-group exercises, brainstorming sessions, and field-based simulations, providing participants with practical skills and operational tools for effective mission planning.
Facilitators from the 13 countries will lead participants through realistic scenarios, replicating the challenges of planning and executing peacekeeping operations at national and multinational levels.
Beyond classroom instruction, the programme affords participants to share experiences, build professional networks, and strengthen cross-border collaboration, which are crucial for effective peace support operations.