Accra: Brigadier General Lawrence Deku, Deputy Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, has called on peace and security experts to enhance collaboration to tackle Africa's security challenges. He emphasized that the continent's evolving threats necessitate expertise from a variety of sectors, including traditional leaders, religious bodies, and local communities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Brig. Gen. Deku delivered these remarks in a speech read on his behalf at the General Assembly and Induction Ceremony of the Association of Conflict, Peace and Security Experts in Africa (ACPSEA) in Accra. He identified emerging threats such as food insecurity, political crises, maritime insecurity, and the activities of violent extremists as challenges that demand new strategies and expertise from professionals across different fields.
Brig. Gen. Deku stressed the importance of transitioning from knowledge production to knowledge utilization, advocating for collective intelligence and collaborative problem-solving. He urged the recognition of local communities not merely as beneficiaries of security interventions but as active participants with valuable knowledge and solutions.
He encouraged the members of the Association to leverage their expertise to influence policies and decisions that promote peace and sustainable development. Brig. Gen. Deku highlighted the need for experts to see themselves as partners in developing and implementing solutions, urging them to build relationships and partnerships that enable cooperation.
The ceremony witnessed the induction of 77 members from Ghana and other African countries, under the theme: 'From Conflict to Cooperation: Enhancing Peace, Security and Sustainable Development in Africa.' ACPSEA, launched on March 10, 2026, unites stakeholders from academia, security institutions, policy organizations, civil society, and dispute resolution institutions to promote professionalism, knowledge exchange, and collaborative action in conflict management, dispute resolution, peacebuilding, and security studies.
Mr. Isaac Asare, Founder and President of the Association, underscored the fundamental role of peace and security in Africa's economic and social transformation. He advocated for proactive conflict resolution measures, emphasizing that early warnings should lead to early actions and that peacebuilding must be a sustained investment.
Mr. Asare emphasized the Association's commitment to building a continental network of professionals to support peacebuilding initiatives and contribute to conflict prevention and resolution. He urged members to maintain professional standards and support initiatives aligned with the Association's core values and objectives.
Rear Admiral Geoffrey Mawuli Biekro (Rtd) encouraged the Association to collaborate with policymakers and adapt to the changing peace and security landscape. He also called for mentorship and the establishment of standards for training and certification of peace and security professionals.
Madam Kazia Kenneth Azumah, Country Coordinator of the Association, advised young people, communities, organizations, and individuals to reject violence and engage in dialogue to resolve conflicts. The inductees included 42 Members, 24 Fellows, and 11 Honorary Fellows.