The Commander of the Army Training Command (ATRAC), Brigadier General Joshua Amanor, has opened the UN Engagement Platoon Training, describing it as a force multiplier in complex operational environments.
According to him, “personnel must acquire specialised skills to interact effectively with local communities and gather reliable situational awareness.”
Speaking at the official opening of the UN Engagement Platoon training at the Army Peace Operations Training School (APOTS) in Bundaberg on Monday, he emphasised that successful peacekeeping goes beyond deployment.
Brigadier General Amanor noted that peacekeeping requires interpersonal skillfulness and community engagement to deliver on the mandate of protecting civilians.
He observed that what began as Female Engagement Teams has since evolved into a comprehensive, gender-mainstreamed Engagement Platoon model, now central to modern peace support operations.
The Commander of ATRAC urged participants to approach the course with seriousness and commitment, stressing that the competencies to be acquired would enhance operational effectiveness across all units.
He expressed profound appreciation to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for their continued technical assistance and for sustaining the training package.
The CAF Contingent Task Force Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Marc Gallant, also noted the specialised function of the Engagement Platoon, emphasising its role in advancing UN mandates, including the protection of civilians, prevention of conflict-related sexual violence, and the advancement of the women, peace and security agenda.
He defined members of the Engagement Platoon as agents for change who engage vulnerable populations and provide commanders with ground-level intelligence essential for operational planning.
Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD
