Accra, Ghana: War and violent conflict destroy so much more than infrastructure, livelihoods and human security. War and violent conflict reach deep into the fibre of society, destroying link after link of its fragile chain until that chain is weakened and only threads remain. Peace Support Operations (PSO) and Humanitarian Assistance (HA) Personnel participating in peacekeeping missions in conflict-affected countries around the world, are often at the forefront of the horrors of war. However, new research shows that insufficient attention is being paid to the psychological and psycho-social impact of violent conflict on PSO and HA personnel in Africa.
A recent baseline study jointly undertaken by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and the GIZ Support Programme to the KAIPTC, contains important new evidence on the need for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) training for PSO and HA personnel. PSO and HA personnel who were interviewed for the study, spoke at length about the stressors faced before, during and after deployment. Asked whether they had experienced psychological problems as a result of the work that they do, more than half of respondents said they had; citing anxiety, feeling powerless and not enjoying things they used to enjoy. Deployment-related stress originates from a multitude of sources. These include leaving behind friends and family to the uncertainty of the new environment and it’s often hostile climatic and political context and the challenges related to being confined to a space with the same people for extended periods of time.
The report, authored by Friederike Bubenzer also reveals that there are at present no publicly available guidelines or regulations for ECOWAS or African Union peacekeeping missions on matters such as staff care, psychosocial support for deployed personnel or indeed how MHPSS challenges impact on post-conflict reconstruction efforts. Similarly, international peacekeeping training institutions in Africa showed no references to training courses on MHPSS for PSO personnel.
The study shows the immense opportunities for KAIPTC to become a leading player in advocating for MHPSS to be more centrally positioned within Africa’s peace and security architecture. Research participants overwhelmingly expressed interest in an MHPSS training. Consequently, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and KAIPTC will now embark on a consultative process to develop a uniquely tailored training curriculum, and the first MHPSS in PSOs training course is to be piloted in November, 2020.
Contact:
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About KAIPTC
The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) was established to build upon and share Ghana’s internationally acclaimed experience and competence in peace operations with other states in the ECOWAS region and the rest of Africa. The Centre delivers training courses in three thematic areas; Peace Support Operations, Conflict Management and Peace and Security Studies and also offers Master’s and PhD programmes in same. The KAIPTC has a world-class research department that undertakes research in the thematic areas in Peace and Security. The Centre has established a Women, Peace and Security Institute (WPSI) that works to build African capacity to fully implement the Maputo Protocol, and support the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 and its resolutions on women, peace and security in the context of Africa. Please visit www.kaiptc.org for more information about KAIPTC; follow us on Facebook and twitter @Kaiptcgh, or Instagram @Kaiptc.
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ENGLISH (Texte en français ci-desssous)
KAIPTC COVID-19 Special Guidelines for International Course Facilitators and Course Participants travelling to KAIPTC:
1. Kindly read the Ghana Government, the KAIPTC COVID-19 General and Special Guidelines for International travellers carefully and be advised accordingly (click here to read);
2. It is mandatory to upgrade your health insurance to cover expenses for possible COVID-19 quarantine and treatment.
3. The cost of the three (3) COVID-19 PCR tests up to a total of USD 450 – will be reimbursed for participants of sponsored KAIPTC courses. The tests comprise one before embarkation to Ghana, one at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and the final test prior to departing Ghana. All receipts are required for reimbursements to be made.
4. Course participants accommodated at KAIPTC are required to stay on-site during the entire duration of the course.
5. Neither the Ghana Government, the Ghana Ministry of Defence, KAIPTC, the Course Sponsor nor the organising country, can be held responsible in any way for further costs arising out of a positive COVID-19 test or a COVID-19 infection.
FRANÇAIS
KAIPTC COVID-19 Directives spéciales pour les animateurs et les participants aux cours internationaux qui se rendent au KAIPTC :
1. Veuillez lire attentivement les directives générales et spéciales du KAIPTC COVID-19 à l’intention des voyageurs internationaux et en tenir compte (cliquez ici pour lire – uniquement en anglais) ;
2. Il est obligatoire d’améliorer votre assurance santé pour couvrir les frais d’une éventuelle quarantaine et d’un traitement COVID-19.
3. Le coût des trois (3) tests PCR COVID-19 – jusqu’à un total de 450 USD – sera remboursé aux participants des cours parrainés par le KAIPTC. Les tests comprennent un test avant l’embarquement pour le Ghana, un test à l’aéroport international de Kotoka (KIA) et le test final avant le départ du Ghana. Tous les reçus sont nécessaires pour effectuer les remboursements.
4. Les participants aux cours hébergés au KAIPTC sont tenus de rester sur place pendant toute la durée du cours.
5. Ni le gouvernement du Ghana, ni le ministère de la défense du Ghana, ni le KAIPTC, ni le sponsor du cours, ni le pays organisateur ne peuvent être tenus responsables de quelque manière que ce soit des coûts supplémentaires résultant d’un test COVID-19 positif ou d’une infection COVID-19.
Please fill the following form.
KAIPTC receives ear-marked and non-earmarked funding from its development partners. In some instances, it receives technical support on specific projects and programmes. The institution welcomes additional financial and technical support from development partners. Please contact the following persons/departments:
The Director,
Policy, Planning Monitoring and Evaluation.
Email: ooc.ppmed@kaiptc.org
Le KAIPTC reçoit des fonds affectés et non affectés de ses partenaires de développement. Tout soutien financier supplémentaire des partenaires de développement est la bienvenue. Veuillez contacter les personnes ou départements suivants:
La Directrice,
Département des politiques, de la planification, du suivi et de l’évaluation
Email: ooc.ppmed@kaiptc.org