KAIPTC Graduates 162 as Ghanaian Scholars Achieve Key Leadership Milestones at UPSA and WAFEO

Ghana's academic and professional landscape has seen a series of significant milestones, marked by the graduation of new specialists and the elevation of seasoned experts to influential leadership positions. At the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), 162 students were commissioned as peace and security experts, while the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) and the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) celebrated transformative leadership in doctoral education and regional engineering governance. These developments reflect a robust commitment to fostering integrity and excellence across various sectors of the Ghanaian economy and the West African sub-region. During the KAIPTC’s 15th graduation ceremony on June 26, 2026, Air Vice Marshal David Akrong emphasized the critical role of ethical leadership in addressing Africa’s contemporary challenges. A total of 162 graduates received Master of Arts degrees in various specializations, equipped to navigate the complexities of regional security. The ceremony was highlighted by the valedictory speech of Elsie Adwoa Adutwumwaa Boateng, who inspired her peers by sharing her journey of pursuing advanced education later in life. Keynote speaker Justice Professor Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu underscored the need for renewed multilateral commitments to resolve modern conflicts, urging the new graduates to prioritize integrity and perseverance in their professional paths. Parallel to these academic successes, the engineering profession in Ghana achieved a major regional landmark with the election of Ing. Rev. Prof. Charles Anum Adams as the President-elect of the West African Federation of Engineering Organisations (WAFEO). Announced during the inaugural WAFEO-ECOWAS conference in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on June 15, 2026, Prof. Adams is slated to begin his two-year term in January 2027. The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) hailed the election as a testament to his three decades of expertise in civil and transportation engineering. As the Founding Centre Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Transport Research and Education (TRECK) at KNUST, Prof. Adams is expected to drive sustainable infrastructure development and bolster regional collaboration across West Africa. Within the sphere of doctoral education, the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has recognized the transformative contributions of Prof. Raymond Dziwornu. Serving as the Director of the Office of Doctoral Programmes, Prof. Dziwornu oversaw a significant expansion of the university's academic offerings, increasing the number of PhD programs from two to eight. His tenure was marked by the successful graduation of 33 PhD candidates, effectively addressing previous backlogs and setting high standards for academic mentorship. As an Associate Professor of Applied Economics, his leadership has left a lasting legacy of institutional growth and excellence in research, positioning UPSA as a leader in high-level human capital development. Collectively, these achievements underscore the rising standards of education and professional governance in Ghana. From the training of security specialists at KAIPTC to the expansion of doctoral research at UPSA and the regional leadership of Prof. Adams, the nation continues to produce the intellectual and technical expertise required for sustainable development. These milestones serve as a call to action for the next generation of leaders to maintain ethical standards and pursue innovation in their respective fields, ensuring that Ghana remains at the forefront of academic and professional excellence in West Africa.