(Accra, 15 April, 2026) – The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) hosted the Executive Director of Conciliation Resources, Mr. Jonathan Cohen, for a high level courtesy visit aimed at deepening collaboration in peacebuilding and conflict prevention across West Africa.
The visit, held during Mr. Cohen’s participation in a High Level Meeting on Peace and Security in the region, provided an opportunity for both institutions to exchange insights on the evolving dynamics of conflict, particularly in the context of the Sahel and the increasingly complex security landscape across coastal and border communities.
In discussions with the Commandant of KAIPTC, Air Vice Marshal David Akrong, both sides underscored the urgent need to move beyond traditional security approaches and embrace more inclusive and community centered peacebuilding strategies. Mr. Cohen highlighted Conciliation Resources’ extensive field experience, particularly through its KAPOK Project in the Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana tri border area, which focuses on strengthening community resilience, supporting locally led peace processes, and enhancing early warning systems.
A key theme that emerged from the engagement was the recognition that while security interventions remain essential, they are insufficient on their own to sustain peace. Both parties emphasized that lasting peace must be grounded in inclusive participation, ensuring that the voices of marginalized groups, including women and youth, are actively integrated into peace processes. The discussion also reflected on the importance of addressing structural and social norms, particularly issues related to gender and masculinity, and repositioning men as allies in advancing gender equality within peacebuilding efforts.
The meeting further highlighted the importance of documenting and sharing good practices in peace processes across regions such as West Africa, Central Africa, and Asia. Emphasis was placed on strengthening the preventive dimension of peacebuilding, particularly in response to the southward spread of instability from the Sahel.
Air Vice Marshal Akrong noted that the dynamics of peacebuilding are rapidly changing and require institutions like KAIPTC to adapt proactively. He reiterated the Centre’s commitment to leading advocacy on gender inclusion, youth participation, and community driven peacebuilding approaches. He also highlighted KAIPTC’s ongoing efforts to domesticate continental and national frameworks such as the National Action Plans on Peace and Security through grassroots engagement and intergenerational dialogue.
Both parties identified significant opportunities for collaboration, particularly in advancing the Youth, Peace and Security agenda, strengthening transborder peacebuilding initiatives, and integrating field based insights into training, research, and policy processes. The Commandant emphasized that KAIPTC, as a key institution within the ECOWAS architecture, is well positioned to convene partnerships that bring innovative ideas and practical solutions to emerging security challenges.
Mr. Cohen expressed enthusiasm for deepening collaboration with KAIPTC, noting the strong alignment between the Centre’s mandate and Conciliation Resources’ approach to locally grounded peacebuilding. He emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between high level policy frameworks and community level implementation, ensuring that peacebuilding efforts translate into tangible impact on the ground. The visit concluded with a shared commitment to explore concrete areas of partnership, including joint research, training programmes, and knowledge exchange initiatives. Both institutions reaffirmed their readiness to work together to strengthen peacebuilding efforts in West Africa, particularly in border regions where the need for coordinated