TheMinister for Defence, Edward Omane-Boamah, has emphasized the need for the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre (KAIPTC) to reduce its reliance on external funding to safeguard its research integrity and operational autonomy.
To this end, he urged the management to aggressively promote the Centre’s facilities for revenue generation while also ensuring that its capacity development programmes remain critical to facilitating peace and security in the sub-region.
Addressing the Centre’s High Level/Governing Board Meeting on March 26, 2025, Dr. Omane-Boamah stated that the Centre’s role is crucial to the reintegration of Sahelian countries back into ECOWAS, emphasizing the importance of addressing trust issues to build upon past progress.
A significant development discussed was the December 2024 Presidential Charter that merged KAIPTC and the Ghana Armed Forces Staff College (GAFSC) under the National Defence College (NDU).
The meeting sought to also address the implications of this merger, including the need for a governing council and the future of the academic programs of the two institutions.
Dr. Omane-Boamah, however pledged, to quickly reconstitute the governing council to ensure the Centre’s unique status is preserved.
The Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudjeto-Ablakwa, highlighted the challenges facing the Accra Initiative, noting a decline in interest from Sahelian states.
He encouraged KAIPTC to explore ways to revitalize regional support for the initiative. He also commended the Centre’s progress in e-learning, while cautioning against cyber threats, and stressing the importance of robust digital infrastructure.
Addressing funding partners’ concerns regarding the suitability of the Centre’s capacity development programmes for peace and security professionals, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major General William Agyapong, clarified that trained officers are generally deployed within six to twelve months, optimizing the training’s relevance.
He also committed to providing leadership to enhance the Centre’s operational efficiency. The Commandant of KAIPTC, Major General Richard Addo-Gyane, reassured the board that the Centre would continue to work with its diverse partners, each with their specific interests, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that funds allocated for specific purposes are used accordingly.