Col. Anorph Barnabas Akanbong, Director at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, has reminded the various security services in the Country of their constitutional mandate to always maintain peace, law and order during election seasons.
According to him, Ghana is regarded as a beckon of democracy and as security services, can not afford to let it backslide on their watch.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a five days Electoral Violence and Security course organized by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in collaboration with the German Foreign Ministry, entreated them to take the opportunities offers them to enhance their knowledge, skills and competences.
He noted that, as a course which encourages collaboration, urged them to take the opportunity to get to know their colleagues from different services, because good inter-personal relations between all actors in peace building and peacekeeping will contribute to the success of the overall goal of ensuring peace and security in Ghana.
He expressed his gratitude to the German government for the successful collaborating with the Centre because it is the collation that has made the realization of the course possible.
He commended the Inspector General of Police and the Ghana Police Service for the pivotal role it is expected to play in the series courses.
Col. Akanbong implore the participants to provide feedback and recommendations on the course to ensure that, the centre delivers a constant package of high quality courses.
C/Supt. Christopher Mpianim, the representative of the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, ACP Frank Abrokwah, on behalf of the IGP, disclosed that, as the country head to the December 2024 polls, the good people of Ghana and friends across the world once again have a lot of expectations from the security agencies.
He is of the view that, they expect them to fulfill their constitutional mandate of maintaining law and order as well as protecting lives and properties before, during and after the elections.
He stressed that, the course could not have come at any other appropriate time than this period as it is going to broaden the knowledge of participants and adequately prepare them for the national obligation ahead.
He said the course will equip participants’ knowledge on Electoral Cycle, Conflict, Leadership in Elections Security management, Human Rights, Opetational Order management and Community Policing among others
C/Supt. Mpianim disclosed that, the blend of course participants are from the Military, Custom Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Prisons, Immigration and Fire Services, which he said will greatly enhance Institutional coordination and foster effective deployment across the country.
H.E Daniel Krull, German Ambassador to Ghana, also commended Ghana for being a bicorn of democracy in Sub-Sahan Africa region.
According to him, Ghana’s peaceful coexistence among the citizenry and political parties has make the country attract investors which he said is good to the socioeconomic development of the country.
He noted that, we can hear of the recent happenings in our neighboring countries like Burkina Faso and Mali, hence Ghana must be guided against what is happening in those country with political instabilities.
He stated that, the government of German would continue to support such a laudable course to help ensuring peace and stability among countries.
C/Supt. Evelyn Edem Agbitor, The Course Director, also disclosed that, the Electoral Violence Security course is designed to address Electoral Violence in West Africa by equipping law enforcement agencies with effective preventive management and response strategies.
She said it’s aimed to ensure the capacity of government Security services across West Africa to safeguard the electoral process and ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections.
The target groups she reiterated includes government Security services and forces in West Africa, such as the Police, Military, Customs, Prisons, Immigration and Fire Services.
