The celebration of International Day of Peace 2024 has come to a close at the Air Force Recruit Training School, Air Force Base Takoradi, on Wednesday 24 September 2024. 

Speaking on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, the Director General, Defence Communications and Information Systems (DCIS), Brigadier General Atogebakoga Alobawone, noted that since the United Nations General Assembly declared the third Tuesday of September each year as the International Day of Peace, it had strengthened the ideals of peace around the world. 

He added that the celebration was a crucial reminder that peace is a priceless gem that must be diligently guarded. Brig Gen Alobawone highlighted Ghana’s long-standing contribution to global peace efforts, noting that the nation strives for peace in various parts of the world. He urged all to remain agents of peace, particularly as the country prepares for the upcoming elections, and expressed profound gratitude to the Government of Canada and the Elsie Initiative for their valuable partnership. 

The Canadian Defence Attaché to Ghana, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Palmer, remarked that this year marked the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. He also acknowledged the significant achievements of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), including the launch of its Gender Policy Framework, and the progress made in removing barriers to the meaningful participation of GAF women in peace operations. 

Lt Col Palmer noted that, in recent years, the Elsie Initiative had supported the training of 122 women for future peacekeeping missions, and that measures are currently in place to finalise the development and institutionalisation of a gender training curriculum tailored to all four levels of training within the GAF. This includes the training of GAF trainers by Canadian Armed Forces personnel. 

The event featured a talk on peacekeeping and mental health, as well as a panel discussion on women deployed in peacekeeping missions. Some women who served with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Ghanbatt 90 shared their experiences.