Some of the dignitaries at the ceremony
The growing complexity of global conflicts requires a new generation of ethical and resilient leaders capable of responding to emerging security threats, former Judge of the International Criminal Court, Justice Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, has said.
Addressing the 15th Graduation Ceremony of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), she said the nature of warfare has shifted beyond conventional military confrontations to include violent extremism, cyber threats, proxy conflicts and advanced military technologies.
According to her, these evolving security challenges have created an increasingly fragile global environment, making the role of peace and security professionals more critical than ever.
She noted that while conflicts continue to affect several parts of the world, including Africa, there is an urgent need for professionals who possess not only technical expertise but also the integrity and commitment to promote sustainable peace and good governance.
Justice Mensa-Bonsu urged graduates of the Master of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Security, Master of Arts in Gender, Peace and Security, and Executive Master of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Security programmes to apply the knowledge and skills acquired at KAIPTC to strengthen institutions, promote peaceful conflict resolution and protect vulnerable communities.
The Commandant of KAIPTC, Air Vice Marshal David A. Akrong, also charged the graduates to uphold integrity, perseverance and accountability throughout their professional careers, stressing that leadership is defined as much by character as by competence.
He encouraged them to become agents of positive change within their respective institutions and countries, reminding them that the values they demonstrate in service will be just as important as the qualifications they earned.
The ceremony also celebrated academic excellence, with Ms Elsie Adwoa Adutwumwaa Boateng emerging as the Overall Best Graduating Student and Valedictorian. In a brief address, she encouraged her colleagues to remain determined in the pursuit of their goals, saying setbacks should never prevent anyone from striving for excellence or embracing new opportunities.
She also reminded the graduates that lasting peace extends beyond the absence of conflict and is built on justice, inclusion and respect for human dignity, urging them to carry those principles into their professional and personal lives.
The occasion was marked by an emotional tribute to two members of the graduating class who passed away before completing their studies. Mr Desmond Ofosuhene was named Best Graduating Student in the Master of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Security programme, while Mrs Yvonne Ofosua Yirenkyi received the award for Best Graduating Student in the Executive Master of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Security programme.
The graduation brought together government officials, diplomats, development partners, faculty, families and friends to celebrate another cohort of professionals expected to contribute to peace, security and stability across Africa.
The ceremony marked the successful completion of another academic year at KAIPTC, reinforcing the Centre's role in developing leaders equipped with the knowledge, skills and ethical foundation to address contemporary peace and security challenges on the continent and beyond
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