A 10-day training programme designed to prepare military officers from 21 nations across Africa and Europe to respond properly to regional crisis has opened in Accra.
Dubbed the “United Accord Exercise,” the training programme is also expected to strengthen coordination among United Nations (UN) peacekeeping nations in the provision of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief when needed.
The programme, which is the first of its kind to be held in the country, is organised by the United States (US) government through its embassy in Ghana. It is being hosted by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
Addressing the opening session last Friday, the Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms Melinda Tabler-Stone, said the programme was geared towards building national capacities in support of long-term security.
“The programme will also help combat terrorism through effective governance, development and rule of law,” she said.
Security
Touching on the importance of the programme, Ms Tabler-Stone said the security challenges that Africa faced reverberated around the globe.
“Instability in Africa affects our mutual security and, by extension, our health, our democracy and our economies. That is why the US government is so committed to this training, and ensuring we can work together to tackle these challenges,” she said.
Over the past years, Ms Tabler-Stone said, the US had supported peacekeeping missions, exercises and conferences in West Africa, adding that “we are committed to working with our African partners for many years to come.”
She, therefore, commended the management of KAIPTC for the support it was offering to ensure the smooth running of the training programme.
Partnership
Throwing more light on the training programme, a Senior Defence Official in charge of Ghana, Togo and Benin at the US Embassy in Ghana, Mr Jano Carlson, said participants would undergo both academic and live exercises that would help them to better respond to regional crisis.
He noted that the programme would also create synergy among the participants and provide them with a platform to learn from one another.
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