By Nicholas Osei-Wusu & Akosua Fremah Frimpong
The Deputy Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, KAIPTC, Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong, has observed that, as Ghana gears up for Presidential and Parliamentary elections in December this year, it is imperative for all key actors to soberly reflect on the need for civic engagement and assurance of strong institutions if sustainable peace and development are to be realized.
According to the Deputy Commandant, it should not be lost on anyone or group that every voice matters stressing that the people have a role to play in shaping society for which there must be active citizen participation in national discourse, transparent governance and robust institutions.
Air Commodore Akrong made the call in Kumasi at the 3rd Stakeholder Dialogue Series organized by the Centre.
The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, KAIPTC instituted the Stakeholder Dialogue Series on 2021 to engage its stakeholders, development partners and institutional partners on specific issues of concern within the peace and security architecture of the country.
The 3rd edition held in Kumasi focused on ‘Enhancing Civic Engagement and Institution-building for Sustainable Africa.”
The event was in partnership with All Africa Conference of Churches and supported by the Governments of Norway and Germany as well as Bread for the World.
Air Commodore Akrong noted that, Africa’s peace and security stands threatened now as a result of bad governance, violent extremism, terrorism, cyber-attacks and political upheavals already resulting in a surge in coup d’ etats.
“Our continent stands at a crucial juncture in its history looking at the challenges being experienced. Whilst the AU Agenda 2063 provides a myriad of opportunities for growth, the continent continues to be threatened with bad governance, violent extremism, terrorism, cyber attacks, political upheavals resulting in surge of coup d’edats in the last three years”, he observed.
Air Commodore Akrong said, as Ghana gears up for her Presidential and Parliamentary elections in December this year, the need for active citizens engagement and ensuring strong and independent institutions will be very crucial.
He advised, “as Ghana goes to the polls in December this year, it is imperative for us to reflect on the pivotal role that civic engagement and strong institutions play in the sustainable development of our nation.”
The Programme Executive, Research Governance of Human Rights Liaison Office to the African Union, Justice Oman, stressed that, it is about time the youth were engaged constructively towards engendering trust while building strong institutions and a resilient society on the continent.
The Technical Advisor of GIZ to the KAIPTC, Jacinta Kwao, emphasized the need for citizens’ role in shaping the society for which they must be engaged.
The KAIPTC 3rd Stakeholder Dialogue Series was participated by selected journalists, judges, representatives from state security agencies, the Electoral Commission, NCCE, CHRAJ and civil society.
