A Kofi Annan Peace University in the offing

Accra, May 21, GNA - Plans are underway to establish a Kofi Annan Peace University to train trainers in peace promotion and development who would in turn promote peace in Ghana and the West African Sub-Region. The reconstituted United Nations Association, Ghana (UNAGH) formerly, Ghana-United Nations Association (GUNA) to undertake the project have acquired a three acre-square land at Ningo in the Greater Accra region.

Mr Emmanuel AmuaSekyi-Amuah Secretary-General of UNAGH, who announced this when inaugurating some committees under the Association in Accra on Friday, said the curriculum for the university was being prepared, while the designs for the building complex was also being undertaken. He said the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan would be briefed on the project at a meeting scheduled for September in the United States on the University which would be affiliated to the Bradford University in the United Kingdom.

Mr AmuaSekyi-Amuah inaugurated six committees including the Internal Affairs Committee, the Constitutional Affairs, the Protocol and the UN Secretary-General's Initiative Committees to promote the activities of the Association. He appealed to the Government to restore to the Association, the needed recognition to enable it function efficiently and effectively both locally and internationally.

The Government in 2000 withdrew its recognition for the Association due to some alleged mismanagement of their affairs, including alleged visa racketeering by some members of GUNA. Mr AmuaSekyi-Amuah said the new name was adopted in 2002 at an extra ordinary congress where new executives were also elected to "straighten up affairs". The Association, with a current membership of over 1,000 and secretariats in all the 10 regional capitals, was established in 1952 to educate the public on activities of the UN for mankind.

Mr AmuaSekyi-Amuah urged members of the Committees to work hard to promote the aims and objectives of the Association and help promote peace and development among Ghanaians. He advised the regional coordinators to desist from persuading people to join the Association under the guise of travelling outside Ghana.