More than 300,000 Ghanaian peacekeepers have helped promote peace and security in over 63 missions in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Balkans. Recently, renovations were completed at a police training centre in Pwalugu, Ghana as part of a German programme run in various African countries which make their police officers available for international peace missions. Roughly three million Euro has been made available for this programme.

Enlarge image Inauguration of new police training school (© FFO) It is 11.20 a.m. on 5 January 2012 in Pwalugu, Ghana. Thomas Wimmer of the German Embassy in Ghana, John Owiredu-Nkansah, Head of the International Relations Directorate in the Ghanaian police force, and deputy regional police chief Gyninaey Peterkin cut the ribbon, officially opening Pwalugu police training school. The renovated building now has the facilities to provide basic training for up to 500 police cadets.

The auditorium, decorated for the occasion with balloons and streamers, has been completely renovated since 2010. These repairs were part of a programme run in various African countries by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of Germany's Foreign Office in order to assist local police forces. A total of roughly three million Euro in direct support was made available from 2009 to 2011 for countries which make their police officers available for international peace missions.

Ghana has been participating in United Nations peace missions for over 50 years. More than 300,000 Ghanaian peacekeepers helped promote peace and security in over 63 missions in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Balkans.

The Pwalugu police training school is the third selection centre of this kind in Ghana. Twice a year, between 300 and 350 police officers will be prepared for UN missions in the new auditorium, which was partly funded by the German Government. In order to be seconded to a UN mission, officers have to pass the UN’s Selection Assessment Test (SAT). This test is designed to establish whether applicants are suitable for participation in peacekeeping missions.

The improved learning and preparatory environment will ensure that more police officers pass the test. As such, the Foreign Office is helping to ensure that Ghana and the rest of the African continent can take on increased responsibility for peace and security in the world.

The GIZ also supported the Ghanaian police force with the renovation of the new sanitation facility belonging to the police training school. Police director John Owiredu Nkansah is very pleased with the result of the renovations. The Ghanaian police force now has a police training school with classrooms, a hostel and an administrative building, all in perfect condition.

Following a tour of the school, the guests at the inauguration ceremony left. The balloons and streamers have been taken down. Now it is time for police cadets to move into the buildings. They have an exciting time ahead.