Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has called on conflict and security experts in Africa to use their skill to make a change by helping to improve the lives and dignity of the people.

He said the security challenges facing the continent are many and complex, and would require their expertise to solve them.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur was speaking at the 3rd Batch of Graduation Class for the Masters and Executive Masters of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Security, of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).

Out of the total of 101 students, 40 graduated with Masters of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Security; 30 received Masters of Arts in Gender, Peace and Security; whiles 26 graduated with Executive Masters of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Security.

Mr Sidney Kobby Adika was adjudged the best student for Masters of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Security; Ms Chariga Chilemu of Kenya was declared the best for Masters of Arts in Gender, Peace and Security; and Mrs Ursula Owusu Ekuful, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West, was awarded for being the best student in Executive Masters of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Security.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur expressed delight that gradually a lot of senior executives have taken up the challenge to upgrade their knowledge in conflict management, peace building and security.

He said the people are by their action building and expanding the local capacity for the prevention, management and resolution of conflict in the region.

“Our effort to ensure that Africa becomes peaceful is achievable, especially when we begin to train, equip and lead the deployment of our very own expertise to solve our problem,” he said.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur urged the new granduates not to consider their freshly acquired competences as opportunities merely to start a vocation but to make a change in their communities.

He assured KAIPTC that government would continue to provide funds for the construction of the new academic block, which would be devoted to academic and research activities, as well as provide additional capacity for meeting the Centre’s overall mission.

He said other internet-based teaching capacities would be added to the Centre to enhance its capacity to deliver a globally recognised capacity for international actors on Africa peace and security to foster harmony and stability on the continent.

The courses are being run by KAIPTC, in collaboration with the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

High profile personalities, who graduated include Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church – Ghana and Chairman of the National Peace Council; Mr Baba Issifu Kamara, National Security Coordinator; Mr Cletus Apeul Avoka, former Majority Leader and MP for Bawku West; Mrs Hellen Adjoa Ntoso, Volta Regional Minister; and Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West.