The Headquarters Northern Command on Friday, 12 December 2025, held a closing ceremony for the Pre‑Deployment Training on the Prevention of Recruitment and Use of Children in Armed Conflict, Course 1/2025.
The course, organised by the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, brought together selected personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for an intensive capacity‑building programme aimed at strengthening the military’s child‑protection responsibilities during operations.
Delivering the closing remarks on behalf of the General Officer Commanding Northern Command, the Command Logistics Officer, Colonel Francis Baah, emphasised that the course was designed to equip participants with practical tools for handling children affected by conflict. He noted that the training enhances the capacity of the GAF to operate effectively in complex environments, including peacekeeping missions, counter‑insurgency operations and humanitarian settings. 
Colonel Baah urged participants to serve as champions of stronger policies and interventions that promote child protection across the Armed Forces. He also expressed appreciation to the Dallaire Institute for its sustained cooperation and partnership with the GAF.
The Focal Point Officer to the Dallaire Institute, Major General (Rtd) William Omane‑Agyekum, congratulated the trainees on the successful completion of the course. He commended both participants and facilitators for their enthusiasm and professionalism, and encouraged the trainees to consistently prioritise the safety and welfare of children, recognising them as victims in need of protection rather than combatants.
In his remarks, the Project Director for the Dallaire Institute, Mr Arsène Mubendi Tshidimu, praised the participants for their dedication throughout the course. He highlighted that military personnel often serve as the first point of contact with vulnerable populations, making it essential for soldiers to adopt child‑sensitive approaches. 
He stressed that preventive measures, rather than reactive responses, are critical to achieving sustainable peace and effective security operations. He further acknowledged the support of international partners, including the Government of Canada, for their continued collaboration in strengthening Ghana’s child‑protection frameworks.
The Ghana Army, is Ghana’s Land Warfare Component tracing its origins from the Gold Coast Constabulary Regiment (GCCR) in the then British Empire, evolving through the years to become the present-day Professional Ghana Army.
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