KAIPTC graduates Benin disaster officials

The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) on Thursday passed out 60 officials from Benin after a three-week intensive training on disaster preparedness at the centre.

The training forms part of the West Africa Disaster Preparedness Initiative to help officials in the sub-region to effectively respond and manage epidemics appropriately.

It was convened by the KAIPTC and the National Disaster Management Organisation in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States.

Ghana and Benin are the first countries to have engaged in the training, however, officials said, Thursday’s graduation ceremony was organised ahead of time to allow the participants from Benin to observe their independence day on Saturday.

Commandant of the Centre, Major General Obed Boamah Akwa, expressed hope that the trainees would be fully equipped to deal with disaster situations in their home countries and across the sub- region.

He said the Centre would continue to deliver on its mandate on training, education and research to enhance peace in the continent.

KAIPTC provides globally-recognised capacity for international actors on African peace and security through training, education and research to foster peace and stability in Africa.