KAIPTC to host flagship peace, security forum to honour late Kofi Annan

The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in collaboration with the GIZ GmbH and Norwegian government is organizing the Kofi Annan Peace and Security (KAPS) Forum in honour of former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan.

The Commandant of the Centre, Air Vice Marshall Griffiths Evans they also want to recognise the role of former presidents in shaping political governance, peace and security in Africa.

“We subsequently want to deepen collaboration between KAIPTC, UN, AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECS), governments, CSOs, development partners and private business communities in finding a political solution to security situations in Africa”, he explained.

The KAPS Forum is an annual international platform designed to bring together political leaders, diplomats and experts for policy dialogue on evolving trends in peace and security.

Held under the theme ‘Peace Operations in the Context of Violent Extremism in Africa,’ the forum is a flagship event to facilitate discussions on evolving trends in peace and security in Africa.

Speaking on the event scheduled for September 4 and 5 in Accra, Air Vice Marshall Griffiths Evans said, “our forum will be a working forum and we will ensure that when recommendations are made, they are followed through until progress is reported”.

On his part, Hans-Helge Sander, Deputy German Ambassador to Ghana, spoke on the need to facilitate discussions on evolving trends in peace and security in Africa following the insurgence of repetitive terrorist attacks.

“This Forum will provide an excellent occasion to discuss collective actions on how to strengthen a proactive international and continental effort to prevent and effectively counter violent extremism in Africa”, he stated.

The ambassador also briefed the media on Germany’s long-standing and strong support to KAIPTC through Police and Military Advisors as well as a GIZ support mission.

“Because of the already existing support the German government offers, we are delighted to support KAIPTC´s maiden edition of the “Kofi Annan Peace and Security” Forum in Accra”, he affirmed.

The KAPS forum also seeks to deepen the collaboration between KAIPTC and international organisations such as the United Nations, African Union, Regional Economic Communities, governments, development partners, civil society organisations and the private business community.

The Kofi Annan Forum will bring together 200 high-level delegates drawn from high-level officials including former African presidents and diplomats from governmental and intergovernmental organizations (including the African Union and its Regional Economic Communities, United Nations and European Union).

The forum will also include security professionals and representatives from policy and research think tanks, development partners, training institutions and civil society groups.

The KAPS Forum is in memory of Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations (1997-2006) who dedicated his life to mobilizing political will to address evolving human security threats.