By James Amoh Junior
Accra, Oct. 14, GNA – A specialised training course on Election Violence and Security has commenced for personnel from various security agencies ahead of Ghana’s 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The two-week course, organised by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), will have two cohorts comprising of 82 security personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Customs, National Intelligence Bureau, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Prisons Service.
With support from the German Government, the course aims to enhance the capacity of the law enforcement agencies in preventing and managing potential electoral violence ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The last in a series of a similar training held in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale, the programme is designed to equip officers with the skills necessary to handle electoral security across Ghana’s regions.
Major General Richard Addo Gyane, Commandant, KAIPTC, whose speech was read on his behalf by Colonel Anorph Barnabas Akanbong, Director Training, KAIPTC, emphasised the critical role of security officers in preserving peace before, during, and after elections.
“The mandate to ensure peaceful elections rests on us as security officers,” the Commandant noted, reiterating the importance of preparedness as the country heads to the polls.
Maj Gen Gyane highlighted the tensions that often accompanied elections in democracies, making the training essential as it aimed to enhance the ability of law enforcement agencies to manage electoral violence situations and ensure a peaceful election season.
He urged participants to apply the knowledge expected to be gained to ensure the success of the electoral process.
The Commandant expressed gratitude to the German government for their support, stressing that the collaboration had been instrumental in making the course a reality and ultimately contributing significantly to ensuring peace and security in Ghana.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Edem Evelyn Agbitor, Course Director, said the Ghana Police Service, being the lead agency in electoral security, would play a central role, with support from other security agencies.
She said as the country prepared for the 2024 elections, security agencies would intensify efforts to prevent any potential disruptions, ensuring that Ghana maintained its reputation as a beacon of democracy in West Africa.
Such training in previous election years, ACP Agbitor, had been useful as the security agencies were better equipped to prevent electoral offences.
“We all want a violent free election, so let’s all come onboard and support the security services to ensure a peaceful election so that at the end, the glory will be for all Ghanaians and not the security services alone,” she said.
Mr Norbert Wienold, German Course Director, who officially opened the first cohort of the course, expressed optimism of a peaceful election in Ghana.
GNA