Accra, July 17, GNA – As a step to confront and control the context of violent extremism on the continent, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) on Wednesday launched a forum to discuss measures to control the emerging situation.
The forum, to be held under the theme: “Peace Operations in the Context of Violent Extremism in Africa”, is expected to be attended by diplomats, political leaders, and experts.
The forum dubbed, “Kofi Annan Peace and Security (KAPS) Forum” is slated for September 4 to 5, 2019 in Accra.
It would be chaired by Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel with the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the Guest of Honour.
The forum would be attended by 200 participants from across the continent and beyond including three former Presidents of Ghana, five former African Heads of States, representatives from the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and Regional Economic Communities, Government Officials, Security Chiefs, Development Partners and Civil Society Organisations.
Among other objectives, the two-day forum aims at deepening collaboration between participating institutions and individuals in finding political solution to security situations in Africa; and recognising the role of former Presidents in shaping political governance, peace and security in Africa.
It would also provide a platform for participants to honour the memory of the Late Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the UN, and implement KAIPTC new strategic vision of becoming the preferred centre of excellence in the delivery of capacity and expertise in peace and security in Africa.
Mr Griffiths Santrofi Evans, the Commandant of KAIPTC, said the maintenance of peace and security in Africa remains a critical challenge, hence the need for the forum to discuss the way forward.
He said though the magnitude of the challenge varied from country to country, many African States were grappling with extraordinary sources of threats that undermined peace and security at the levels of the state and the individuals.
Mr Hans-Helge Sander, the Deputy German Ambassador to Ghana, said violent extremism has unfortunately taken roots in the Sahel Region of Africa, therefore, the German Government found it necessary to support the KAIPTC to train peacekeepers to bring significant change to Africa.
Germany, he said, has deployed more than a thousand Army personnel as peace keepers, trainers and advisors to a number of countries such as Mali, Djibouti, and Western Sahara to maintain peace and order.
He commended Ghana especially the KAIPTC for its role in training peacekeepers to resolve conflicts in the UN, AU and the International community.
Mr Ernest Ansah Lartey, the Coordinator of the KAPS Forum, presenting the structure of the forum, said there would be an opening ceremony, sod cutting ceremony of the Kofi Annan Monument at KAIPTC, and Presidential panel discussion on regional perspectives on peace operations in Violence Extremism.
Other outlined programmes, he said, are first plenary session, breakout sessions, presentation of communique and submission of a report on the discussions and recommendations from the forum.
Mr Lartey extended special appreciation to the Federal Government of Germany, the Government of Norway and all partners of KAIPTC for contributing towards the successful implementation of programmes to achieve the mission of the Centre.
GNA
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