Help consolidate democratic governance in Ghana – Minister
Mr Mark Owen Woyongo, Minister of Defence on Friday urged members of the security services, parliamentarians, the media and civil society organizations to help consolidate democratic governance in Ghana and Africa.
He said it was important that the institutions kept pace with the new paradigm of managing defence within the wider security context, adding that: “The security sector will thus be positioned to serve the nation more effectively and efficiently”.
Mr Woyongo said this at the closing ceremony of a two-week course in “Managing Defence in a Wider Security Context,” organized by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in collaboration with Cranfield University and sponsored by the British Government.
Participants were drawn from the security services, parliament, the media and civil society organizations in the country.
The Defence Minster said the programme had provided the participants with a valuable opportunity to acquaint themselves with new information, interpretations and ideas pertaining to evolving defence and security issues in Ghana and Africa as a whole.
He appealed to the participants to contribute to the realization of the objectives of the programme, especially in the promotion of professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness in security and defence, as well as other public sectors.
“I am happy to note that a good number of the members of the Defence and Interior sub-Committee of Parliament participated in the course.
“This is expected to help Parliament deepen its understanding of the dynamics in the running of the defence and security sector,” Mr Woyongo said.
He expressed Ghana’s gratitude to the British Government, and Cranfield University for organizing and funding the programme.
He lauded the KAIPTC for positioning itself as a player in training programmes on peace and security.
Madam Caron Rohsler, Deputy British High Commissioner to Ghana, commended all the participants for the professional way in which they conducted themselves during the programme.
“The standard has been extremely high and the challenge now is to maintain the momentum generated in this forum as we seek solutions to the varied security related challenges we all face”, she said, adding that “The United Kingdom stands ready to contribute and assist in this process.”
Major General Obed Boamah Akwa, KAIPTC Commandant, said as this was the maiden course, the Centre hoped to use the feedback generated, both formally and informally, to improve subsequent courses.
He said the KAIPTC deemed it a privilege to have provided the platform to shape national and regional policy in West Africa.
“As stated in our vision, we hope to remain a preferred regional Centre of Excellence for multi-dimensional peace support operations and will continue to be relevant to the peace and security needs of the region,” the Commandant said.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Suallah Abdellah, Brong Ahafo Regional Executive Secretary on the National Peace Council and a participant in the programme,said the programme had equipped him with the knowledge to understand security issues in a wider context.
“We will apply the knowledge we have acquired to work with the security services in resolving conflicts in the country,” he indicated.
Source: GNA