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Peacekeeping centre "helping to maintain peace" in Africa

Published Friday 23rd September 2005

Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram, and the Ghanaian Defence Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufour, unveil a bronze globe at the official opening of the second stage of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre (KAIPC) [Picture: MOD].

Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram, the Ghanaian Defence Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufour, and members of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre (KAIPC) at the official opening of the second stage [Picture: MOD].

The second phase of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) was opened in Ghana on the 22 September by UK Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram, and the Ghanaian Defence Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufour.

The internationally-supported centre in Accra offers troops from all over the world the opportunity to examine specific peace operations issues at the operational level and to update and share their knowledge of the latest practices through conferences, discussions, lectures and computer-assisted training exercises.

Unveiling a bronze globe with Dr Addo-Kufour, Adam Ingram said:

“Helping to maintain peace after the end of conflict is vital to build prosperity in Africa. The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre is already helping tremendously in the provision of international peacekeepers. It has trained a remarkable 4000 personnel from 91 countries since its opening less than two years ago.

“I am delighted to be here today to see completion of the second phase of the Centre which will allow even more peacekeepers to be trained.

“The Centre is a great example of international cooperation for Africa, with Ghanaian, British, Dutch and Italian support for this phase. The International Community has to support Africa and I was very pleased that the G8 made a commitment to this at Gleneagles in July. Support for places like the Kofi Annan Centre must continue if we are to bring peace and prosperity to Africa.”

The first phase of the KAIPTC opened in January 2004 and so far UK support to the centre has totalled approximately $8.6 million (approximately £4.6m) since 2003.

Adam Ingram also marked the start of work on a UK-funded accommodation block at the Jungle Warfare School in Ghana.

Cutting the sod where the block will stand, Adam Ingram said:

“The Jungle Warfare School helps tremendously toward providing armed forces from all over the world who can provide peace support in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. This is on top of training Ghanaians for their own operations. We were very grateful for its use for a British training exercise last year.”

The Jungle Warfare School is situated 45 minutes North West of Accra and was last year used by 50 members of 3 Commando Brigade Recce Force, Royal Marines, supported by the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, for Exercise Western Rhumba. Previously the UK had invested £60,000 in an accommodation block, washing and dining facilities and a helicopter landing site at the Jungle Warfare School but will now provide an additional £35,000 for further accommodation.

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