The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has observed the International Day of Peace at 2 Garrison, Takoradi, on Tuesday, 24 September 2024.

The two-day event hosted by the Air Force Base Takoradi in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada was under the Elsie Initiative under the theme ‘Cultivating the Culture of Peace: GAF’s Contribution’.

As part of activities to mark the first day of the celebration, military personnel and Defence Civilian Staff drawn from 2 Battalion of Infantry, Naval Base Sekondi and Air Force Base Takoradi embarked on a peace walk through some principal streets of Takoradi. The walk began at the Airforce Base Takoradi and ended at Air Force Recruit Training School where lectures and presentations were delivered by resource persons.

In her opening remarks, the Gender Advisor to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Naval Captain Cecilia Amoo-Welsing commended Global Affairs Canada and the Elsie Initiative for their support. She said World Peace Day, established in 1981, was geared towards the advancement of peace hence Ghana’s participation in peace missions for the past 64 years.

Captain Amo-Welsing said the day marked a moment Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) joined the world to strive for peace. She asked for peace especially as the nation prepared for the general elections and encouraged all to be ambassadors for peace.

The Senior Liaison Officer in Ghana for Global Affairs Canada, Mrs Bertha Desmennu, recognised the remarkable contribution of the shared efforts towards global peace and security. She said the International Day of Peace focuses on building a culture of peace, dialogue, shared understanding and cooperation. She added that the spirit of inclusiveness and respect for diversity was essential.

Mrs Bertha Desmennu, emphasised Canada’s commitment to practising and promoting inclusiveness and respect for diversity as a proven path to peace, where all people felt welcomed to participate in social, economic, cultural and civic life. She was pleased that the Ghana Armed Forces shared in the commitment to promote gender equality in its operations.

In her presentation, the Gender Policy Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff, Group Captain Theodora Agornyo commended all who contributed to the gender policy framework, especially, the Canadian government. She gave a brief overview and background to the Ghana Armed Forces gender policy including the policy framework, goals and guiding principles.

Additionally, the 2 Garrison Nutritionist, Mr Isaac Amankwa, delivered a presentation on the importance of breastfeeding in furthering levels 2 and 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focus on ending hunger and promoting health and well-being. He emphasised that every child should have access to good nutrition, including breastmilk.