(Accra – 5th February, 2026) The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has taken another significant step in advancing peace and security cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office of the Special Envoy of H.E. the President of the Republic of Ghana to the Alliance of Sahelian States (OSE/AES).
The signing reflects a shared recognition of the increasingly complex security environment confronting the Sahelian region and its spillover effects on coastal West Africa. It also underscores Ghana’s long-standing commitment to preventive diplomacy, regional dialogue, and practical collaboration aimed at addressing violent extremism, terrorism, political instability, and other transnational security threats.
The Sahel has, over the past decade, emerged as one of the most fragile security zones globally. Persistent insecurity in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger has not only undermined national stability but has also created regional repercussions, including displacement, cross-border crime, and heightened pressure on neighbouring coastal states. These challenges have reinforced the need for coordinated regional responses that combine diplomacy, capacity building, and informed policy action.
Against this backdrop, the Alliance of Sahelian States has become a central platform for collective engagement among its member states. Ghana’s establishment of a Special Envoy to the Alliance reflects a deliberate effort to maintain constructive engagement, support dialogue, and contribute meaningfully to regional stabilization initiatives.
The collaboration with KAIPTC builds on this effort by bringing together diplomatic leadership and institutional expertise in peace and security. As one of Africa’s leading peace and security training and research institutions, KAIPTC has for decades played a critical role in strengthening the capacity of civilian, military, and police personnel across the continent. Its work in peacekeeping training, conflict prevention, security sector governance, and policy research has positioned the Centre as a trusted partner for governments, regional organizations, and international institutions.
The partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy is expected to deepen this impact by aligning KAIPTC’s training and research capabilities with the practical needs of the Sahelian context. Through this collaboration, attention will be placed on developing human and institutional capacity, particularly in areas related to peace and security policy, counter-terrorism, violent extremism, border management, migration, and inter-agency coordination.
Training programmes will be designed to respond to real-time security dynamics, ensuring that personnel from AES member states and relevant institutions are equipped with practical skills and strategic insight.
Beyond training, the collaboration places strong emphasis on policy research and analysis, recognizing that sustainable security responses must be grounded in evidence, context, and regional realities.
The partnership also places importance on strengthening institutional processes, including the development of standard operating procedures and shared practices that enhance cooperation and coordination among stakeholders. This approach is expected to improve collective responses to security threats while fostering greater understanding and trust across institutions and borders.
Speaking at the signing, the Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahelian States, Ambassador Colonel Larry Gbevlo-Lartey (Rtd.), highlighted the strategic value of KAIPTC’s expertise and experience in supporting regional peace initiatives. He noted that the Centre’s role in training, research, and convening dialogue would be critical in advancing the objectives of Ghana’s engagement with the Alliance and in supporting broader efforts to prevent terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel.
The Commandant of KAIPTC, Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong, reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to working closely with the Office of the Special Envoy and other partners to address the pressing security challenges confronting the region. He emphasized that the collaboration aligns strongly with KAIPTC’s mandate to contribute to peacebuilding and conflict prevention through partnerships, innovation, and knowledge-driven solutions.
The signing of the Memorandum also reflects Ghana’s continued role as a bridge-builder and credible partner in regional peace and security discourse.
As security dynamics in the Sahel and coastal West Africa continue to evolve, the partnership between KAIPTC and the Office of the Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahelian States is expected to support coordinated action, enhance regional cooperation, and contribute to sustainable peace outcomes. Through training, research, dialogue, and joint planning, the collaboration offers a practical pathway for translating shared commitments into tangible results for the region.