Accra, Jan 26, GNA - Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, the Minister of Defence, on Thursday said great effort is being made to get the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre well established as a centre of excellence.
This would lead to the improvement of peacekeeping training and preparedness and to attract participation of neighbouring countries in courses organised there.
Dr Addo Kufuor said this in Parliament in an answer to a question by Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, NPP-Atwima Nwabiagya, who wanted to know the status of work at the centre and the government's contribution so far. The Minister said the centre, which was commissioned on January 24, 2004 by President John Agyekum Kufuor and the former German Chancellor, Gerhardt Schroeder, has won an enviable reputation internationally and has attracted participants from over 90 countries around the world for training.
"So far a total amount of about 14.0 million dollars had been spent on the infrastructure development of the centre and funding is provided by a number of friendly countries including Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America, the Netherlands, Canada, France, Italy and Japan."
"Donor support for the centre is really impressive and Ghana has every reason to be proud of this facility."
Dr Addo Kufuor said Ghana has not paid any amount to the facility but has been providing funding for the routine running course of the centre including the payment of emoluments of all Ghanaian staff at the centre.
"Also funds are provided from the Consolidated Fund for consultancy services, utility services and the provision of transport facilities at the centre."
