Germany committed to supporting Peace Operations in Africa - Ambassador

Christoph Retzlaff, the German Ambassador to Ghana has said the German government was committed to supporting Peace Operations on the African continent.

He said it was an utmost priority for his government to provide the needed support especially in the face of threats to regional security of the Sahara region.

He said, issues of insecurity posed great challenges to the world and called for the need for the international community to stand together with the affected countries.

“The African continent is a key area for the German government to apply its prevention and post conflict peace building measures. The major goal is to strengthen Africa’s ownership by empowering African partners to carry out successfully, crisis prevention and effective crisis response,” he said.

Speaking at the end of a three-week study course on Peace Operations at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC) on Friday, Mr Retzlaff observed that, it was important for African countries to act fast and decisively to counter threats on its peace and security.

“I’m convinced that ECOWAS as well as KAIPTC must have a prominent role in this. I do not have to tell you that the nature of arm conflicts is changing, peace support has become a multi-dimensional challenge that includes experts such as humanitarian relief efforts, stabilization operations, security sector reforms, support to reconstruction and economic recovery as well as support in the fields of governments and democracy, and this applies particularly to Africa.”

The course saw 67 military officers from 13 African nations and 63 officers from Allied Security Agencies and middle level directors of selected institutions in Ghana, studying for a two-week Peace Operations Course and a one- week culmination of Combined Joint African Exercise (CJAX).

The courses were jointly organized by Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), KAIPTC and with support from the German government.

The course was aimed at providing skills and knowledge of operational level planning, coordination and conduct of peace operations. It also sought to deepen the awareness on international global issues and of the changing roles of the Armed Forces, to foster civil-military relationship and enhance interest in national development.

The courses have also contributed to intensifying the corporation between African countries both on the regional and on the continental level.

Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, Director and Dean of Academic Affairs at the GAFCSC said peace had become an essential element in the world today, adding that, it was therefore crucial for countries to understand peace keeping at the operational and tactical level.

He said the course had given the participants the needed exposure through realistic practical training that was designed to prepare students for the planning and management of the peace operation on a strategic, operational and on a tactical level.

He said the GAFCSC would continue to train personnel across the world to understand peace keeping in order to bring peace to the world.