Strengthening the partnership between the ECOWAS Center for Gender Development (CCDG) and the Kofi ANNAN International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC).

Accra, Ghana, May 22, 2023. A mission from the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development (CCDG) was on a working visit from May 18 to 19, 2023 to the Kofi ANNAN International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana, with the main aim of strengthening the partnership between the two institutions. This working visit followed an initial technical mission to the KAIPTC by the CCDG in November 2022.

During the visit, the CCDG delegation led by its Director, Ms Sandra OULATER FATTOH, held working sessions with KAIPTC officials, including the Commandant, Major General Richard Addo GYANE; the Deputy Commandant, Air Commodore George KWEKU ARKO-DADZIE ; as well as the Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, the Acting Director of the Women, Peace and Security Institute (WPSI), the Legal Affairs Officer and their respective teams. The various discussions led to a consensus on a partnership between the CCDG and the KAIPTC, resulting in the definition of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU focuses on four main areas of action: capacity building, research, documentation and advocacy.

During the closing meeting, the CCDG Director thanked the KAIPTC Commander and his team for the warm welcome extended to the CCDG delegation, and for the conditions put in place to ensure the success of the mission. She congratulated the Commander on his commitment to promoting gender equality, and on his determination to strengthen cooperation and relations between the KAIPTC and ECOWAS. After presenting to the audience the strategic orientations of the new ECOWAS management, Madame OULATE FATTOH assured the KAIPTC Commander of the commitment of the CCDG and the Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs to invest sufficiently in the partnership between the two institutions.

Taking the floor next, the KAIPTC Commander thanked the CCDG for the visit and for its interest in collaborating with his institution to promote gender equality, especially in the fields of women, peace and security. He also renewed his commitment to supporting this partnership between his institution and the CCDG.