By
Pamela Ofori-Boateng, Africa In Focus News Reporter
Vice President, Hon Kwesi
Amissah- Arthur has mentioned that next year, 2015, promises to be a challenging
one for West African democracy since national elections are scheduled in five
ECOWAS countries: Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire; Guinea; Nigeria; and Togo
He made this assertion at a joint
graduation ceremony for third batch of students of the Master of Arts in
Conflicts, Peace and Security (MCPS) and the second batch of students of the
Master of Arts in Gender, Peace and Security (MGPS) at the Kofi Annan
International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra.
According to him, electoral
disputes have been a major source of instability as there are people who seek
to profit from any misunderstanding.” “We need therefore to guard against the
exploitation of differences or disputes. West Africa must not revert to the
condition of war and conflict”, he added.
Still delivering the key note
address, the vice president Hon. Amissah -Arthur observed that, West Africa, as
a continent, is currently confronting challenges by people who, through the
force of arms and various acts of terror, are seeking to impose their worldview
on others.
“In the last quarter century, our
sub-region has experienced extraordinary war and conflict. We are therefore
committed to resolving our problems without resorting to warfare. Our societies
have begun a long process of recovery and have started to enjoy a peace
dividend because we are determined to accommodate all people whether they
practice different religions, or have a different cultures and customs.
He congratulated the graduating
class for their hard work and commitment throughout their training period and
asked them to apply the knowledge acquired in their various endeavors.
Prof. Kwaku Osei, Dean of
students of Academic Affairs, presented special academic awards to two
distinguished personalities: Maj. Gen. Anyidoho and Dr. Charles Amlaner for
their dedication and immense contribution to the growth of KAIPTC.
The graduants were 67 in number,
with 40 being males and 37 being females. Though majority of the students were
Ghanaians, the overall best student for each of the programmes studied, were
from Japan and Nigeria respectively.
The best student for the Master
of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Security was Miss Kanko Oshigama and Mrs. Ugonna
Ukaigwe was adjudged the best student for Master of Arts in Gender, Peace and
Security.
Mrs. Ukaigwe who spoke on behalf
of the graduating class noted that strength is not a preserve of a particular
gender and that they have been equipped to view all situations with their
gender glasses on. She thanked the lecturers, administration and staff of the
training Institute for their enormous support.
The Kofi Annan International
Peacekeeping Training Centre will soon commence a Certificate course in Gender,
Peace and Security and will follow it up with a doctoral programme in
International Conflict Management.
ENDs
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