(Accra, 03rd November, 2025) KAIPTC has officially opened the 2025 edition of the Criminal Justice Executive Course (CJEC), bringing together criminal justice actors from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. The course seeks to deepen collaboration and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of justice systems across West Africa.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Commandant, the Director of Training, KAIPTC, Colonel Lawrence Deku, explained that the course was conceptualized through a long-standing strategic partnership initiated by the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Kennesaw State University in the United States, and developed collaboratively with a group of Ghanaian legal experts. He noted that the course has undergone several revisions over the years to reflect evolving trends and challenges within the justice sector.
Col Deku highlighted that the CJEC is designed for professionals across the criminal justice chain — including the police, prosecutors, prisons, immigration, fire service, customs, financial intelligence, and organized crime units. He emphasized that the course aims to enhance participants’ understanding of how these institutions co-function to promote the rule of law, strengthen accountability, uphold ethical standards, and improve justice delivery.
Throughout the week, participants will explore thematic areas such as strategic leadership, ethics, change management, the rule of law, cybercrime, terrorism, communication dynamics, and other emerging issues shaping contemporary criminal justice practice.
Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Mr. Norbert Weinold described it as “an honour and a pleasure” to join the opening of the course at KAIPTC. He commended the Centre for its long-standing partnership with UNITAR and expressed appreciation to the German Government for its continued support in funding criminal justice capacity-building initiatives.
Mr. Weinold noted that the course comes at a critical time when global security threats — including violent extremism, organized crime, cyber threats, and transnational corruption — continue to undermine social stability and the credibility of justice systems.
“Justice is not only a legal principle but a moral responsibility,” he remarked, urging participants to engage actively, share experiences, and build networks that will endure beyond the training. Such networks, he said, would help strengthen institutional cooperation and foster trust between citizens and the state.
He reaffirmed UNITAR’s commitment to working with KAIPTC in advancing peace, justice, human rights, and good governance across the globe.
Col Deku formally declared the 2025 Criminal Justice Executive Course open and encouraged participants to make the most of the knowledge-sharing, networking, and professional development opportunities. He concluded that justice remains a shared responsibility and emphasized that an effective judicial system is the foundation of the peace and stability that KAIPTC continues to champion.