The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center, with funding from the Swedish Government, has trained stakeholders on Women's Peace and Security (WPS) Monitoring and Reporting using the Continental Result Framework (CRF).

This initiative is to build their capacity and enhance their skills and knowledge on the WPS monitoring and reporting agenda of the CRF.

The training targeted actors from the Ministry of Gender, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, the Military, state Security Agencies, Civil Society actors and other relevant state agencies from southern Ghana.

The Continental Results Framework, a ten-year strategic Framework, was adopted in 2018 to monitor and report on the implementation of the Women's Peace Agenda in Africa. 

The accountability tool was developed by the office of the Special Envoy on Women's Peace and Security at the African Union Commission.

It forms part of the United States Security Council Resolution 1325 document developed to address the plight of Women in conflict situations and increase women's participation. 

Ghana, therefore, developed the National Action Plan (GHANAP 1325) for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in 2012 and subsequently reviewed it to GHANAP 2 for the period 2020 – 2025, adding a pillar on relief, recovery and rehabilitation.

However, some lapses had been identified in achieving the objectives of the CRF, compelling member states to request a capacity program to better utilize the framework. 

The Deputy Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peace Training Centre, Air Cdr George Arko-Dadzie, detailed that in view of the request, the Women Peace and Security Institute of his outfit partnered the Office of the Special Envoy to design a comprehensive training programme to build the capacity of national actors.

He disclosed that the capacity-building training has already been organised in Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Kumasi in Ghana.

Air Cdr Arko-Dadzie entreated the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection - the ministry responsble for implementing the CRF - to foster a stronger relationship with stakeholders towards developing a comprehensive report on the implementation of the Women's Peace and Security Agenda

He detailed that the 2019 to 2021 reports on the WPS presented by the Ministry of Gender highlighted the achievements of the Government of Ghana to promote the WPS agenda.

“It is our hope that beyond the knowledge that will be gained on the course, it also offers the Ministry an opportunity to build closer relationships with representatives from the various institutions to facilitate the collection of information to develop the national report”, he said. 

He further indicated that “as local actors contributing to the acceleration of the WPS agenda, I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your knowledge of the WPS agenda as well as to enhance your skills in using the CRF in your quest to report and monitor the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda”. 

The Gender Monitoring Specialist, Office of the Special Envoy on Women Peace and Security at the African Union Commission, Catherine Gaku Njeru, lauded Ghana on its progress in women's participation in peace and conflict resolution. 

She entreated KAIPTC to ensure all West African member states embrace the agenda and prioritize the safety of women during conflicts. 

“African countries have continuously embraced the agenda and now we have 34 which is 66% of African Countries.15 of these are within the ECOWAS subregion and so I am asking Kofi Annan to ensure the only remaining country joins. 

This is because people have for so long believed that National Action Plan only belong to countries that have been affected. Every country is facing now a different crisis; we have of climate change, terrorism and all these, every country needs a national action plan to ensure that women issues and gender issues are reintegrated in there and all security issues that are affecting our countries”, she said.

The Volta Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Thywill Eyra Kpe, emphasised her outfit's commitment to ensuring the welfare of women in Ghana through the adoption and implementation of several of its policies and programs. 

She highlighted the important role women play in peacebuilding, indicating that peace agreements are more likely to be implemented when women are included in negotiations and made signatories of the agreements. 

“Concerted efforts are needed from all stakeholders to achieve gender balance in peace and security for a more equal and equitable Ghana. As a country committed to Sustainable Development Goals, we must make a difference in attaining gender balance for sustainable development. 

The principles of equality, non-discrimination and fair distribution of the benefits of development should be our focus in order to enhance peace and security”, she said. 

The 5-days workshop saw participants enlightened in topics such as understanding the concepts of the WPS agenda, demonstrating an understanding and application of core monitoring and reporting concepts and applying the CRF indicators in their reporting.