- Bilateral security talks were also held with the Government of Ghana.
- Signed a defense cooperation treaty with Senegal.
The UK will work to strengthen training for UN peacekeepers, the UK military minister announced at the 2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministers’ Meeting in Accra, Ghana, last week.
Armed Forces Minister James Heappy MP said:
From violent extremism in the Sahel to political instability in many African countries, the importance of working with regional partners and the United Nations has rarely been more evident.
It is not enough to train peacekeepers and put them at risk without any support. Our new enhanced training model sees our personnel accompany UN peacekeepers on missions and work tirelessly alongside them on the ground to prevent conflict.
The Minister attended the meeting on behalf of the UK and outlined the UK’s new and continuing commitment to UN peacekeeping operations. Its contents include:
- The new Enhanced Training Model (ETM) for UN peacekeepers will see UK personnel provide support to UN peacekeepers based on their requirements before and during missions.
- Continued commitment to the Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations, which supports women’s participation in UN peace operations, building on £1 million of funding announced earlier this year. will be held.
- Support the United Nations’ efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation.
- Commitment to new training initiatives to build counter-IED capabilities of others.
During his visit to Ghana, the Minister also held bilateral security dialogues with Minister of National Security Albert Kandapaa, Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiulu, and Minister of Interior Ambrose Derry. Building on the deployment of Trent to the Gulf of Guinea, the two leaders discussed how to deepen the bilateral defense relationship and work to counter the threat of violent extremist activities emanating from the Sahel region.
He also met with Vice President Mahamudu Bawmi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shirley Botchway.
The Minister, who visited the Burma camp, home to the Ghana Armed Forces, also oversaw the transfer of eight ambulances to Ghana. These ambulances donated by the UK will enable Ghana to improve medical support in its northern border areas.
Earlier this week, he visited Senegal and held bilateral talks with Armed Forces Minister Oumar Youm and President Macky Sall, where they signed a new defense cooperation treaty. The agreement is the first of its kind between the UK and Senegal and represents a significant step forward in the defense and security partnership between the two countries. The UK and Senegal will deepen their relationship and work together to tackle organized crime and drug trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea and counter regional instability and terrorism in the Sahel.