Volume 6, Issue 1
January - March, 2013
KAIPTC Launches 10th Anniversary,
Holds Inaugural Kofi Annan –
Dag Hammarskjold Annual Lecture
Group picture of dignitaries at the launch & inaugural lecture.
T
he 10th Anniversary of the
Kofi Annan International
Peacekeeping Training
C e n t re ( K A I P TC ) h a s b e e n
launched in Accra. The ceremony
begun a number of planned
activities outlined for
implementation in 2013 to
commemorate the work of the
Centre over the past decade.
The Minister of Defence
and Chair of the KAIPTC Governing
Board, Hon. Mark Woyongo
launched the anniversary and paid
tribute to the Ministry of Defence,
development partners, staff and
all past and present stakeholders
who have contributed to the
development of the Centre.
Hon. Woyongo mentioned
that the Centre has in the past
decade contributed to building
capacities of personnel in various
UN missions and made advances in
3
KAIPTC launches 10th Anniversary...
KAIPTC @ 10 – A Decade of Research...
p.1&3
West Africa
Commission on Drugs Launched
p. 4
Dr. Kwesi Aning Appointed Clinical
Professor for Peacekeeping at KSU...
p. 5
Col Leo Hirschmann Ends Duty Tour...
p. 5
WPSI Organises Women's Forum
and Photo Exhibition...
p. 7
KAIPTC Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 6, Issue 1
January - March, 2013
KAIPTC @ 10 – A Decade of
R e s e a r c h , Tr a i n i n g
& Education
I
n May 1998, Ghana's Ministry of Defence
approved plans for the establishment of an
international peacekeeping training
institution. This institution was envisaged to
address regional peace and security challenges
by equipping men and women with skills
needed for managing complex multidimensional peacekeeping activities.
Construction of this Centre of Excellence, later
named the Kofi Annan International
Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) started
in 2002. A year later, the first course – a
Disarmament, Demobilisation and
Reintegration (DDR) course – was run for 36
military, police and civilian participants from
32 countries. Ten years on, the KAIPTC has
grown to become an internationally preferred
Centre of Excellence for research, training and
education for conflict prevention,
management and resolution.
The Centre currently has a fully
functional Research section that studies issues
related to Security Sector Reform and
Governance, Election Related Violence, Small
Arms and Light Weapons, Mediation and
Negotiations, Protection of Civilians as well as
Regional Institutions. The Research section has
also done extensive reviews on Emerging
Security Threats in West Africa which include
Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering and
Counter Terrorism. These have significantly
driven the design and development of training
curricula as well as academic discourse at the
KAIPTC. Externally, research done by the
KAIPTC have contributed to regional peace and
security and informed policies of regional
institutions working in the area of peace and
security. These institutions include the
ECOWAS Commission, the African Union (AU)
and the United Nations (UN).
As one of few training Centre's spread
across Africa to develop capacity in multidimensional peace support operations for
regional organisations, the Centre runs courses
in Election Observation and Election
Management; Disarmament, Demobilisation
and Reintegration; Security Sector Reform;
Protection of Civilians; Conflict Prevention;
Development Diplomacy for Peace and
Security among others. The Centre also
undertakes police pre-deployment training for
West African personnel deployed to UN
Missions such as UNAMID and AMISOM. The
Centre is currently one of two institutions in
the world to run an advanced Course in
Disarmament, Demobilisation and
Reintegration. Training courses fall into three
broad categories, Conflict Prevention, Peace
Support Operations and Post Conflict
Reconstruction and are run in two languages –
English and French. Ten years after the Centre
run its first course, the KAIPTC has gone on to
train over 9000 military, police and civilian
personnel from over 80 countries.
In 2010, the KAIPTC chalked a
remarkable feat when it was accredited by the
National Accreditation Board (NAB), Ghana, to
run Post Graduate Programmes in Peace and
Security. Currently running two Master of Arts
courses in Conflict, Peace and Security (MCPS)
6
KAIPTC Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 6, Issue 1
January - March, 2013
KAIPTC Launches 10th Anniversary,
Holds Inaugural Kofi Annan –
Dag Hammarskjold Annual Lecture
critical areas of policy and dialogue in Ghana,
the sub-region and on the continent. He
indicated that there have been additions to the
original mandate of the Centre since it was
established and specifically mentioned the
introduction of post graduate programmes and
the establishment of a Women, Peace and
Security Institute (WPSI). Hon Mark Woyongo
said the mandate of the KAIPTC feeds into
Ghana's policy to contribute to global peace and
security and assured the Centre of continued
support from the Government of Ghana.
Ambassador Ellen Margrethe Løj, former
Special Representative of the Secretary-General
(SRSG) for UNMIL in Liberia delivered the
inaugural lecture after the launch of the 10th
Anniversary. She spoke on the topic
“Peacebuilding in Africa: Perspectives and
C h a l l e n g e s – i n t e r l i n ka g e s b e t w e e n
peacekeeping, peacebuilding and state building.
Amb. Løj in her delivery admitted that building
peace in a post conflict country and building
state structures that all citizens can identify with
and relate to are daunting tasks. She added that
all actors in the peace process, in such instances,
must realize this and work together towards the
same goal.
Ambassador Ellen Margrethe Løj spent
four years as SRSG in Liberia and used concrete
experiences she faced during her tenure to
share experiences in ownership, setting
priorities and ensuring sustainability in post
conflict situations.
She mentioned that the principle of
national ownership in post conflict situations is
clear but complicated. According to her, real
ownership involves a number of critical factors
including: (a) an inclusive dialogue among
relevant actors; (b) a process of implementation
which, as much as possible, is led or directed by
national stakeholders; and (c) a process in which
national actors commit their own financial
resources.
With regards to setting priorities in post
conflict countries, Ambassador Ellen Margrethe
Løj said the process is daunting and needs strong
political leadership to ensure an effective
approach. She mentioned the need for
sequencing priorities or setting “the priorities of
the priorities” acknowledging that everything
cannot be done at the same time. In ensuing
sustainability, Madam Løj said solutions must be
homegrown, affordable and representative of
the needs of local constituencies. Each
approach, she mentioned, is necessary not only
to keep the peace but to build peace in the short
and long term.
Prof Henning Melber, Senior Advisor and
Director emeritus of the Dag Hammarskjold
Foundation delivered a solidarity message at the
lecture. He praised the marriage between the
KAIPTC and the Dag Hammarskjold Foundation
which has resulted in the co-organisation of an
annual lecture on International Peace and
Security.
The lecture was chaired by Dr.
Mohammed Ibn Chambas, Joint AU/UN
Representative for Darfur. He welcomed the
institution of the Kofi Annan–Dag
Hammarskjold Annual Lecture and paid tribute
to the former UN Secretary Generals.
KAIPTC Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 6, Issue 1
January - March, 2013
West Africa Commission on Drugs
Launched
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo chairs high
level body on growing threat to regional stability
ormer United Nations
Secretary-General Kofi
Annan has unveiled a
major new initiative to help
tackle the growing threat from
illegal drug trafficking in West
A f r i c a . T h e We s t A f r i c a
Commission on the Impact of
Drugs on Governance, Security
and Development (WACD) was
launched at the Kofi Annan
Peacekeeping Training Centre in
Accra, Ghana.
The Commission was
formed in response to the
dramatic surge in drug
trafficking through West Africa
over the past decade. According
to the United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime, illegal drug
trafficking is linked to criminal
and terrorist activities in the
region and is fuelling increased
local consumption of illegal
drugs.
F
The Commission has
been established by the Kofi
Annan Foundation, in
consultation with international
and regional partners, national
governments and civil society
organizations. It comprises a
group of distinguished West
Africans, including two former
heads of state. Olusegun
Obasanjo, former President of
Nigeria, who is the chair.
The Commission aims to:
?
Develop evidence based
policy recommendations
for political and civil society
leaders on how to address
drug trafficking
?
Mobilise public awareness
and political commitment
around the issue; and
?
Promote local and regional
capacities to deal with drug
trafficking
Kofi Annan said: “The massive
surge in drug trafficking in West
Africa over the last decade
presents a serious and growing
threat to the region's stability
and development. Left
u n c h e c ke d , i l l e ga l d r u g
trafficking could compromise
the encouraging progress that
West African nations have made
in strengthening democracy and
promoting human and
economic development.”
Olusegun Obasanjo,
said “The trade in illegal drugs
has already caused devastation
in other regions of the world.
We must all work together to
prevent West Africa from
experiencing the same fate. The
Commission looks forward to its
urgent and important work”.
The Commission will publish a
comprehensive report later this
year.
Mr. Kofi Annan (middle), Ghana's Vice President, HE Amissah-Arthur (third from left) and some of the Commissioners
KAIPTC Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 6, Issue 1
January - March, 2013
Col Leo Hirschmann Ends Duty Tour
C
olonel Leo Hirschmann has ended his duty
tour to the Centre. He was seconded to the
KAIPTC in November 2009 as Director of
Training at a time the Centre had adopted a
new strategic plan and needed experienced hands
to support its implementation. Colonel Hirschmann
used his extraordinary sense of initiative,
enthusiasm and professional competence to help
provide the direction and leadership necessary for
the Centre to succeed in its training activities.
In his capacity as a Director of the Training
Department, Colonel Hirschmann worked with
other staff in the Training and Research
Departments to review the Centre's training
programmes and make recommendations for
ensuring they are relevant, up-to-date and meet the
changing trends in global peace support training
programmes.
Key among his achievements were his
contributions to the development of a Training
Department's Standard Operating Procedures
(SOPs), establishment of relationships with the
Austrian Armed Forces and strengthening of
relations with DPKO (UN), UNITAR and other training
institutions, which made it possible for the Centre's
Courses to be accorded the necessary international
recognition.
At a send-off reception held in his honour to
officially mark the end of his duty tour, AVM Dovlo,
Commandant of the KAIPTC said Col Leo's “varied
experiences, abundant energy and high sense of
duty stood him out admirably. His skill and versatility
as a military officer was never in doubt during his
work at the Centre. He has indeed left his mark at
Col Hirschmann at a farewell reception held
in his honour
the Centre as one of the most innovative
Departmental Directors.”
The send-off reception was also held for Ms.
Aissatou Fall, Programme Specialist, WPSI and Ms.
Stephanie Schulze, Junior Advisor, GIZ support to
KAIPTC. A citation read at the reception
commended them for the level of professionalism
they displayed through their work at the centre.
Dr. Kwesi Aning Appointed Clinical Professor
for Peacekeeping at KSU
The Kennesaw State University (KSU) has appointed
Dr. Kwesi Aning as Clinical Professor for
Peacekeeping.
The Director of the Faculty of Academic
Affairs and Research at the KAIPTC was appointed for
“his outstanding record as a statesman and his many
years of professional experience as a Professor for
Peacekeeping Practice.”
“We are excited about how our partnership
with KAIPTC has evolved and are delighted to have Dr.
Aning join the Kennesaw State University
Community,” a statement signed by Dr. Charles
Amlaner, Vice President for Research at the KSU said.
KAIPTC Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 6, Issue 1
January - March, 2013
2
KAIPTC @ 10 – A Decade of Research,
Training & Education
and Gender, Peace and Security (MGPS), the
KAIPTC is one of few training institutions in
Africa to run world class tuition in this
specialized field. It was no surprise, therefore,
that in the latest Global Go To Think Tanks
report, the KAIPTC was ranked 60th among the
top 70 Global Security and International Affairs
Think Tanks.
The critical role played by the Centre in
its core activities of research, training and
education is driven by partnerships which have
played a tremendous role in transforming the
Centre to become a world-class Centre of
Excellence. From the onset when the
Government of the Federal Republic of
Germany provided an initial 1.8 million Euros for
the development of infrastructure, other
development partners such as the governments
of Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Finland,
Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
and the United States of America, have provided
support for infrastructural development as well
as for research and training. Partnerships with
institutions such as the German Development
Cooperation (GIZ) has also enabled the KAIPTC
strengthen its cooperation with regional
institutions such as the ECOWAS Commission,
the AU and the UN. GIZ has in addition played
critical roles in the development of staff capacity
since 2004. Besides the GIZ, the Centre has
partnered the Norwegian Training for Peace
(TfP) Programme to research and provide
support to civilian training. Partnerships with
ECOWAS Commission and the AU are currently
in the area of developing the capacity of
personnel earmarked for the ECOWAS Standby
Force which will ultimately feed into an African
Standby Force. Allied institutions of the UN
such as UN Women, UNDP and UNFPA have
partnered the Centre to run a Women, Peace
and Security Institute (WPSI), which is a semi
autonomous institute set up to implement
UNSCR 1325. The institute serves as a
knowledge centre for expanding technical
capacity, training and policy research and
analysis on women, peace and security in
order to better inform the broader peace and
security agenda in Africa.
Aside these partnerships, key
facilitators of training programmes at the
Centre are from the Government of Ghana
Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Interior
and Legon Centre for International Affairs and
Diplomacy. The Government of Ghana also
supports the provision of infrastructure and
bears some operational costs of the Centre.
The decade long history of the Centre
would not be complete without mentioning
the critical role played by the leadership and
other key personnel seconded from Ghana's
Ministry of Defence to manage operations at
the Centre. These military and civilian
personnel have worked together with other
Ghanaian, sub regional and international
civilian staff as well as international military
and police personnel to grow the Centre to
become one of the leading institutions
dedicated to regional peace and security in
Africa.
Irrespective of the successes chalked
in its decade of operation, the mission of the
KAIPTC to build capacity in regional peace and
security through research, training and
education has just begun!
KAIPTC Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 6, Issue 1
January - March, 2013
WPSI Organises Women's Forum
and Photo Exhibition
A
Women's Forum and Photo Exhibition
was held at the Kofi Annan International
Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) as
part of activities to mark the Centre's 10th
Anniversary.
The event was organised by the Women,
Peace and Security Institute (WPSI) to highlight
the achievements of women in the areas of
political, economic and social development. The
event also highlighted long-term efforts needed
to address some of the pertinent issues affecting
women today.
Opening the Forum and Exhibition at the
Centre in Accra, Brig Gen Benjamin Kusi, Deputy
Commandant of the KAIPTC said the Centre is
delighted to join other institutions celebrate
women and draw global attention to women's
issues through the celebration of International
Women's Day (IWD). The theme for the
celebration of this year's IWD was “A promise is a
promise; Time for action to End Violence Against
Women.” Brig Gen Kusi said all around the world,
Violence Against Women (VAW) persists and in
certain cases has attained bestial proportions
a t t ra c t i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l o u t ra g e a n d
condemnation. Brig Gen Kusi was however
delighted that there are enough opportunities to
showcase the achievements of women despite
the “doom and gloom.”
Brig Gen Kusi said the forum provides a
platform for renewed advocacy, commitment
and partnerships which he indicated are needed
for creating an environment committed to ending
violence against women, particularly as it relates
to peace and security in Africa.
Delivering a statement from the UN
Resident Coordinator, Mr. Jeremias Blaser,
Deputy Country Director – UNDP, called on all
stakeholders to intensify the fight against
violence in general and against women in
particular through efforts that promote
prevention. Mr. Blaser called for the
Some female personnel of Ghana's security services at the
exhibition of some outstanding African women who have
contributed to women’s empowerment.
establishment and strengthening of existing laws,
policies and action plans on prevention of
violence against women. He pledged the UN's
continued support to partner with government
and other development partners and civil society
organisations in their effort to address the
problem.
In a speech delivered on her behalf at the
forum, Mrs. Nana Oye Lithur, Minister for Gender,
Children and Social Protection called for renewed
commitment to address attitudes towards
gender equality issues.
A panel discussion was held as part of the
forum to discuss women's leadership in
governance processes - successes and
challenges; the economic and developmental
impact of conflicts on women and girls; and
regional lessons learnt in addressing sexual and
gender based violence.
Highlights of the women's day included a
fair for various women's organisations to
showcase their work and materials in the
promotion of women's empowerment. There
was a photo gallery of some outstanding African
women who have contributed to women's
empowerment and contributed to development,
peace and security in Africa.
Dzesi, an all women's band played at the
photo exhibition.
KAIPTC Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 6, Issue 1
January - March, 2013
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