(Accra, Ghana – 9th February, 2026) – The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has officially opened Phase V of the Humanitarian Assistance in West Africa (HAWA) Programme, reinforcing regional efforts to strengthen humanitarian preparedness, peacebuilding, and resilience.
The opening ceremony brought together representatives from diplomatic missions, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, and programme participants, highlighting a shared commitment to coordinated and people-centred humanitarian action across West Africa.
Delivering his welcome address, KAIPTC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong, stressed the importance of long-standing partnerships in achieving sustainable humanitarian outcomes. He described HAWA not just as a training programme, but as a continuous process of learning, reflection, and transformation.
“Phase V deepens collaboration among civil society, NGOs, humanitarian actors, and security institutions, including the military and police,” the Commandant said. “Humanitarian action cannot succeed in isolation; it must be grounded in cooperation, research, community engagement, and practical field-based learning.”
He further emphasized the programme’s focus on youth engagement, community-level research, and operational learning, noting that effective peacebuilding requires inclusive approaches that respond to real challenges faced by vulnerable populations.
Ms. Sandra Gintsberger, Deputy Ambassador of Austria, spoke on behalf of the Government of Austria, reaffirming Austria’s commitment to peace, security, and humanitarian cooperation in West Africa.
She acknowledged KAIPTC as a centre of excellence that translates training into operational capacity and regional cooperation. Ms. Gintsberger noted that Phase V, running from November 2025 to November 2029, will adopt a regional and field-oriented approach, with activities in Ghana and Burkina Faso, and a focus on cross-border cooperation where humanitarian pressures are greatest.
Ms. Monika Psenner, Head of Capacity Building for HAWA, highlighted Phase V as a continuation and expansion of a long-standing partnership between Austria, KAIPTC, and regional actors. She traced the programme’s evolution from a small capacity-building initiative into Preparedness of Humanitarian Systems and Peacebuilding in West Africa (HAWA), a key pillar of Austria’s development and security engagement in the region.
Phase V introduces new cooperation frameworks involving KAIPTC, CARE, and other partners, with increased emphasis on youth participation, environmental and climate-related security risks, and inclusive dialogue platforms. Activities include training courses at KAIPTC, regional dialogue platforms, and global impact workshops across Ghana’s regions.
Mr. Michael Alandu, Country Director of CARE, reaffirmed the organisation’s support for HAWA, emphasizing that strong partnerships are essential to bridging humanitarian action, development, and peacebuilding. He stressed that strengthening local capacities and coordination mechanisms ensures humanitarian assistance reaches those most in need.
The launch of HAWA Phase V reinforces KAIPTC’s role as a hub for dialogue, learning, and capacity building in peace and security, contributing to safer, more resilient, and inclusive communities across West Africa.
