Accra, Ghana (3rd January 2025) – In a bid to strengthen global migration governance, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), in collaboration with the Swiss Government through the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration, has launched the third edition of its Migration Management Course.
The two-week program, designed to enhance participants’ knowledge and resources, aims to equip governments with the tools to navigate the complexities of migration management effectively.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Major General Richard Addo Gyane, Commandant of KAIPTC, highlighted the rapidly evolving and complex migration patterns across Africa. He underscored the need to bridge the gap between policy and practice to address contemporary migration challenges.
Major General Gyane noted that migration is often perceived negatively, with discussions focused on irregular migration, smuggling, and trafficking. He mentioned that such perspectives reflect deep-rooted biases that shape migration policies globally.
Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Simone Giger, also addressed participants, acknowledging both the challenges and opportunities migration presents. While concerns such as human trafficking and family separations persist, she emphasized the positive aspects, including family reunification, remittances, and economic opportunities.
“Migration affects not only individuals but entire societies, requiring governments and civil societies to continuously adapt to its complexities,” she stated. She further stressed that no single country can tackle migration alone, reaffirming Switzerland’s commitment to a cooperative global approach that engages countries of origin, transit, and destination.
The course has attracted 34 participants (21 men and 13 women) from across West Africa, including Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Benin, Liberia, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Cameroon. Representing law enforcement agencies, immigration services, foreign affairs ministries, academia, and the media, the participants will gain valuable expertise to shape migration policies and practices in their respective countries.
As migration continues to shape global socio-economic landscapes, initiatives like the Migration Management Course remain critical in fostering informed, strategic, and humane migration governance.
