The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) celebrated its 14th Joint Graduation Ceremony on Friday, October 31, awarding Masters and PhD degrees in Conflict, Peace and Security, and Gender, Peace and Security.

The ceremony, themed “Building African Agency for Peace and Security in a Changing World”, highlighted the Centre’s commitment to fostering African scholarship and leadership in global peace and security.

Special recognition was given to Prosper Basommi Laari as Best Graduating Student MA Gender, Peace & Security, while Elizabeth Jenelle Acquah was named Best Graduating Student MA Conflict, Peace & Security and also claimed the title of overall best graduating student.

In his address, Acting Commandant Air Commodore David Anettey Akrong congratulated the graduands on their perseverance and commitment.

“Today marks the conclusion of an important chapter in your academic pursuit, but it must not be seen as the end of your academic endeavours,” he said, urging them to contribute innovatively to addressing Africa’s complex challenges.

A total of 101 students from Ghana, Nigeria, and Zambia were conferred with degrees, including a female PhD graduate, the second woman to complete the Doctorate programme since its inception in 2015. Air Commodore Akrong described her achievement as “a moment deserving of applause.”

Guest Speaker Mr Emmanuel Habuka Bombande urged graduands to transform their academic knowledge into practical solutions to strengthen peace and security across Africa.

“My mission is building an African agency for peace and security in a changing world,” he said, warning that “global collaboration to address armed conflicts is diminishing.”

Mr Bombande highlighted the impact of proxy wars and internal conflicts with regional ramifications, citing the Liberian and Sierra Leone civil wars as examples.

Turning to Ghana, he cautioned against complacency, noting that “if our academic knowledge is not contributing to the sustainability of our national peace in Ghana, then we are failing, even if we have our degrees well framed in our offices or in our living rooms.”

He emphasised adherence to judicial procedures, continuous dialogue, and gender-inclusive approaches as essential to sustainable peace.

Representing the Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Chief of Staff to the Vice President, Alex Percival Segbefia, described KAIPTC as 'sacred ground, a space dedicated to the vision and legacy of one of Africa’s most revered sons, Kofi Annan.

He commended the Ghana Armed Forces and KAIPTC leadership for nurturing professionals committed to peacebuilding, stability, and governance.

Highlighting Africa’s security challenges, Mr Segbefia said: “Ghana’s peace is bound to that of West Africa, and our progress depends on the collective stability of our neighbours,” while pointing to ongoing regional diplomatic efforts to reintegrate citizens from the Sahel and curb violent extremism.

Addressing the unfinished KAIPTC building complex, he noted: “Its incomplete state stands as a silent reminder of deferred promise…"

"The Ministry of Defence has approved its revival and completion through a robust public-private partnership.” The project, he said, will expand training capacity, enhance regional collaboration, and reaffirm Ghana’s leadership in international peacekeeping.

Mr Segbefia urged graduands to act with integrity and champion African-led solutions.

“True security is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice, opportunity, and dignity… Your individual efforts form part of a greater collective mission, the mission to make Africa a continent of peace, strength, and possibility,” he said.