(Accra, Ghana – 22nd September 2025). The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), has commenced training for the second cohorts of the redesigned Women Leadership Development Course.
The course, which is dedicated to strengthening the leadership capacity of women across sectors, has brought together 34 participants—29 women and 5 men—from military, police, and civilian institutions across the region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, His Excellency Frederik Landshoft, German Ambassador to Ghana, reflected on the success of last year’s pilot edition, which produced a vibrant network of women leaders contributing significantly to peacebuilding, security governance, civil society, and public administration.
“The pilot (course) reaffirmed a long-held conviction: empowering women is not only a moral obligation but a strategic necessity,” he said. “In today’s world—marked by political instability, climate-related crises, migration, conflict, and inequality—we need leadership that is both diverse and inclusive. We need women not just present at the decision-making table, but actively leading.” His Excellency Frederik Landshoft said.
In his welcome remarks, Brigadier General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo, Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, described the course as more than a training programme, calling it a call to action to amplify women’s voices, foster cross-border collaboration, and equip emerging leaders with the tools, confidence, and networks to drive meaningful change.
“The women participating here today are not only the future of leadership in our region,” he noted. “They are agents of change—challenging the status quo, promoting inclusive decision-making, and leading with integrity and empathy in their respective fields.”
The training underscores the enduring partnership between KAIPTC and UNITAR and a shared commitment to advancing women’s leadership and promoting gender inclusivity in West Africa.