Christoph Retzlaff presenting certificates to the participants
About 60 personnel drawn from the various units of the Police Service to undergo special training in peacekeeping missions, have passed out at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
The personnel, from chief superintendent to other ranks, were taken through courses that would provide them with the basic knowledge and skills at both operational and service delivery as well as operating procedures of the United Nations Police (INPOL) Officers in an integrated peace support operation.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Apeatu, in an address at the closing ceremony held at the Centre, said the pre-deployment course which started on June 26, 2017, was targeted at delivering international best police services in conflict areas and had enormous impact on the overall professional competence of personnel.
He noted that the Ghana Police Service is striving to actualize its vision of becoming a world class police service capable of delivering planned, democratic, protective and peaceful services in line with the standards of international best practices.
“It is in line with this that the service is grateful to the Kofi Annan international Peacekeeping Training Centre, the German Foreign Ministry and other donors for supporting the capacity of my officers,” Mr Asante-Apeatu underscored.
The IGP revealed that the Centre was piloting a course in sexual and gender-based violence investigations.
He said that that effort was laudable since it could further collaborate with the police to explore other critical tactical areas of policing, including counter terrorism, transnational organized crime, human trafficking and proliferation of small arms.
The German Ambassador to Ghana, Christoph Retzlaff, said in an address that the German government was ready to help the Centre with two million Euros to support 27 courses.
He lauded Ghana for the economic successes chalked, adding that the 60th anniversary of the country’s republic also marked 60 years of Ghana-Germany relations.
Chief Superintendent Isaac Asante, a course participant who shared his experience, said participants were taken through topics like nature of conflicts in Africa, AU history and background, introduction to UNPKO, its functions, human rights, sexual exploitation and community-based policing, among others.
He said the course had prepared them adequately for the upcoming missions.
“Apart from the serious classroom work, a field trip was also undertaken for participants to have an experience of what they are to expect at the mission area,” Chief Superintendent Asante indicated.
Present were the commandant of the KAIPTC, Air vice Marshall Griffiths Evans, Director of Training KAIPTC, Colonel Robert Affram and other course directors.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey