The United Nations has urged newly trained military observer instructors to become “force multipliers” by strengthening national training systems. Colonel Samson Adeola Salawu, Course Director of the UN Integrated Training Service (UN ITS), made this call. He spoke at the closing ceremony of the UN Military Observers Training of Trainers (UNMO ToT) Course 2026.
This two-week course concluded on August 28 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra. It brought together 24 participants, including four officers from the Ghana Armed Forces. The program aimed to enhance Member States' ability to deliver the UNMO Specialised Training Materials 2025. This initiative was fully funded by the Canadian Ministry of National Defence.
Ghana has a long history of contributing to UN peacekeeping missions across Africa and beyond. The KAIPTC, located in Accra, is a regional hub for peace and security training. This collaboration reinforces Ghana's role in global security efforts. It also highlights the country's commitment to international cooperation. Such training initiatives are crucial for maintaining stability in conflict zones.
Colonel Salawu stated that the program's conclusion represented a strategic UN investment. He emphasized that participants would shape the future of peacekeeping training worldwide. “It is with a profound sense of fulfilment and pride that I stand before you today,” he remarked during the closing ceremony. He added that the central objective was to enhance Member States' capacity to independently deliver UNMO specialised training materials.
The successful completion of this course means participants will now cascade their knowledge to others. They are expected to strengthen national peacekeeping training systems. This will ensure that military observers deployed to UN missions are better prepared. Decision-makers will watch how effectively these trainers implement their new skills. The global peacekeeping community will monitor the impact on mission readiness.
The training was designed to ensure participants developed confidence and practical skills for training others. The first phase focused on Training of Trainers sessions. Participants practiced presentation and instructional skills. They received feedback from experienced facilitators. The second phase involved detailed exposure to the UNMO Specialised Training Materials curriculum. This prepared them for future delivery.
A final Tabletop Exercise allowed participants to assume facilitation roles. This exercise provided practical experience in organizing and conducting similar activities. Colonel Salawu noted this phased approach ensured participants became “confident, practised, and capable trainers.” He commended the participants for their dedication and professionalism throughout the program. The UN ITS Chief, Harinder Sood, also extended congratulations.
Participants demonstrated strong performance during presentations. They showed knowledge, competencies, and individual skills acquired during the training. Their active involvement contributed significantly to the program's success. Colonel Salawu cautioned that graduation was not the final objective. He stressed that the true measure of success would be the effective application of knowledge back home. He urged graduates to see themselves as vital links in the UN's peacekeeping training architecture. The UN is counting on them to serve as force multipliers. This will contribute to deploying better-prepared, more effective military observers globally.