The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has been awarded the West Africa 2012 Peace Ambassadors Award in recognition of its contribution to peace and security in the sub-region.

The award was specifically to acknowledge KAIPTC’s status as an accredited tertiary institution delivering a one-year Master of Arts Degree Programme in Gender, Peace and Security.

In a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday, Ms Ayesha Nkrumah of KAIPTC Public Affairs explained that the award was presented to the Center at the 6th Annual Conference of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) in Jaji, Kaduna, Nigeria at the weekend.

The conference was held under the theme: “Managing National and International Security in a Globalized World.”

According to the KAIPTC, a citation accompanying the award noted the great achievements and impact the centre has made in contributing to peace and security in West Africa.

The citation also noted the leadership role played by the KAIPTC as a regional Centre of Excellence as well as the high standards maintained in implementing research and training programmes.

The Center was also commended for its innovative and insightful introduction of Post Graduate Programmes aimed at equipping participants with leadership and managerial skills in Conflict, Peace and Security.

Brig. Gen. Benjamin Kusi, the Deputy Commandant, said he was grateful to the SPSP for acknowledging the work of the Centre.

He noted the role of the SPSP to create a platform for scholars and practitioners to share ideas and experiences as a way of deepening understanding and practice of peace in the sub-region.

Brig Gen Kusi said the readiness of the KAIPTC to share its expertise with other institutions in the sub-region to further promote peace and security in West Africa.

The KAIPTC is the second institution aside the African Union to have received the award by the SPSP.