Kofi Annan Training Centre to be completed next year

Accra, Nov. 21, GNA - The first phase of the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra would be completed by end of May next year.

It would have classrooms, offices, auditorium, command and staff training rooms. The German Government provided the seed money of 1.7 million dollars for centre which is estimated at 3.5 million dollars.

Other donors like Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, France, European Union, Netherlands, Italy are co-sponsoring and supporting the whole project with cash and human resources.

The second phase of the Regional Centre of Excellence for the training of personnel for peacekeeping operations comprising of a conference centre, mess facility, students accommodation and a canteen is expected to be completed by the end of 2004.

The Centre linked with other international organisations including, the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centre (IAPTC) is owned by ECOWAS and would serve member-states and the region in general.

Brigadier Charles Mankatah, Commandant of the Centre, addressing a Press Conference in Accra on Thursday, said the Centre would be developed into a world-class education, training and research institution in all aspects of peace operations.

Brigadier Mankatah said the Centre, named after the UN Secretary-General for his role in promoting world peace, would offer Ghanaians, Africans and international participants the opportunity to examine specific peace operation issues, update and share their knowledge of the latest practices in peace operations through conferences, discussions, lectures and computer assisted training exercises.

Colonel John Kane from Britain, Executive Director of the Centre, said programmes being undertaking include a wide range of courses and activities, adding that these would be reviewed annually to reflect developments in the regional and international situations and the requirement of stakeholders.

Col Kane said it would be one of the best in the world and courses to be offered would include crisis management, media operations, civil military co-operations, conflict prevention and resolution.