Africa-Press – Ghana. The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), in partnership with the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has concluded a one-year project designed to strengthen the capacities of member states of the Accra Initiative (AI).
The Project is to counter terrorism, violent extremism, and cross-border insecurity in West Africa and the Sahel.
Titled Support to Strengthen Capacities for Promoting Efficiency in the Implementation of the Accra Initiative (AI) in West Africa and the Sahel, the project ran from March 2024 to March 2025 and employed research, dialogue, and capacity building to engage state and non-state actors.
It sought to enhance skills and knowledge among security stakeholders and build community resilience to reduce threats to peace and security across the sub-region.
The Accra Initiative was launched in 2017 by Ghana, Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and later joined by Mali and Niger, with Nigeria participating as an observer.
It was established to enhance intelligence sharing, security cooperation, and coordinated responses to the growing threats of terrorism and violent extremism spilling over from the Sahel into coastal West Africa.
Mr. Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Japan’s Ambassador to Ghana, speaking at a ceremony to close the project at the KAIPTC in Accra on Thursday, reaffirmed his country’s longstanding commitment to peace and stability in Africa.
He emphasized that terrorism and violent extremism had become pressing threats that transcended borders, requiring coordinated and sustained responses such as those fostered by the Accra Initiative.
“Peace and security has always been important to Japan’s cooperation with Africa, and we are proud to support the Accra Initiative which aligns closely with our longstanding principle of locally-driven efforts to address critical challenges,” Ambassador Yoshimoto said.
He recalled Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Ghana in 2022, during which Japan pledged to contribute to peace and stability in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea.
“This project is a reflection of that pledge and lays the foundation for the long-term impact of the Accra Initiative,” he added.
Ambassador Yoshimoto cited Japan’s broader engagements through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), where Japan had consistently advocated for African ownership and international partnership in achieving sustainable peace.
At TICAD 9, recently held in Yokohama, Japan renewed its emphasis on co-creating innovative solutions to address complex security challenges.
“Projects such as the one we are closing today have helped translate TICAD commitments into action. It is my hope that we continue expanding this collaboration in tackling both emerging and existing security threats in the region,” he noted.
Brigadier General Zibrim Ayorrogo Bawah, the Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, in his remarks, highlighted the Centre’s appreciation to the Government of Japan and the UNDP for their continuous support.
He said over the past decade, the partnership had delivered several impactful projects, including initiatives on small arms and light weapons, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, and now the Accra Initiative.
“The unique structure of the Accra Initiative, focused on capacity building, information sharing, inter-agency collaboration and close cooperation, remains relevant to counter terrorism in the sub-region. Its current transition to a more collaborative approach creates opportunities for dialogue among member states and stakeholders yet to be involved,” Brig. Gen. Bawah said.
He said the project delivered two training courses in Accra and Mali, a regional policy seminar in Abuja, and two research publications to guide policy formulation.
Consultative meetings were held in Ghana, Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, with Nigeria participating as an observer state.
Additionally, a Learning Design and Development Workshop held in September 2024 at KAIPTC ensured that training content was context-specific and up to date.
“These interventions created a common platform for mutual learning and cooperation for preventing and responding to terrorism and violent extremism. They also contributed to enhancing awareness of the urgent need to support the efficient implementation of the Accra Initiative,” he said.
Ms. Shaima Hussien, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Ghana, underscored the worsening security landscape in the Sahel, pointing out that according to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, the Sahel now accounts for over half of global terrorism deaths.
She warned that the spillover of extremist activities into coastal states was becoming an alarming trend.
“Since the project launch in May 2024, we have conducted consultative visits to Nigeria, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire; field research in Tamale and Lomé; developed a training package through a collaborative design workshop; held two training programmes in Accra and Bamako; and organized a regional seminar in Nigeria,” Ms. Hussien recounted.
She praised the participating countries including Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Ghana, for their commitment to the project and the resolve to make their countries and the wider region safer.
Ms. Hussien assured that UNDP would continue supporting the Accra Initiative beyond its completion, focusing on strengthening early warning systems, promoting inclusive governance, and scaling successful approaches to sustain the gains made.
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