West African Training Center Gaining Momentum
Article Summary
The RTC is a law enforcement training facility in Accra, Ghana, established by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to combat transnational organized crime.
The RTC provides training to address complex criminal threats, including corruption, illicit trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, and border insecurity.
In under a year, the RTC has hosted over 20 training activities, including workshops on financial investigations, counter-narcotics, and transnational organized crime initiatives.
Participants include law enforcement professionals from across West Africa, including Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and other regional countries.
The RTC contributes to the West Africa Cooperative Security Initiative (WACSI) by strengthening law enforcement capabilities and reducing transnational crime.
The RTC plans to expand its programs, increase staff, and lease additional space to meet growing demand for training in the region.
In just the few short months since CTP opened the Regional Training Center (RTC) in Accra, the dividends are already appearing for the host Ghanaian government, the neighboring regional countries, and the funding agency: International Narcotics & Law Enforcement (INL) within the State Department. Their recent post on the INL web site gives encouraging details of specific progress and ongoing efforts. See link below.
In related news, CTP is receiving numerous requests from other agencies to utilize the RTC, all part of the West African Cooperative Security Initiative (WACSI).
Full text of the INL post can be found at: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nwsltr/2013/208049.htm#article1
Topics: News & Noteworthy
- Acting Assistant Secretary Thomas Kelly, U.S. Department of State
- Assistant Secretary Kevin Wolf, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Director James Hursch, U.S. Department of Defense
The origin of this post, and other excellent information on the ECR initiative, can be found online at: http://export.gov/ecr/index.asp
Key Points
What is the West Africa Regional Training Center (RTC), and why was it established?
The West Africa Regional Training Center (RTC) is a law enforcement training facility located in Accra, Ghana. It was established through a partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Government of Ghana. The RTC’s mission is to provide specialized training to combat transnational organized crime, strengthen law enforcement capabilities, and promote regional stability in West Africa.
What types of training does the RTC provide?
The RTC offers a wide range of training programs designed to address complex criminal threats, including:
- Financial Investigations: Techniques for tracking illicit financial flows.
- Counter-Narcotics Training: Strategies to combat drug trafficking.
- Transnational Organized Crime Initiatives (TOCI): Programs to address cross-border criminal networks.
- Cybercrime and Intellectual Property Crime: Training to combat digital and intellectual property-related offenses.
These programs are tailored to meet the needs of law enforcement professionals across the region.
Who participates in RTC training programs?
RTC training programs are attended by law enforcement professionals from across West Africa, including countries such as:
- Ghana
- Liberia
- Nigeria
- Benin, Burkina Faso, and The Gambia
Participants include police officers, prosecutors, and other law enforcement officials who benefit from the RTC’s specialized training to enhance their skills and knowledge.
How does the RTC contribute to regional stability and security?
The RTC plays a critical role in supporting the West Africa Cooperative Security Initiative (WACSI) by:
- Strengthening Law Enforcement: Providing advanced training to combat organized crime.
- Reducing Transnational Crime: Addressing issues like corruption, illicit trafficking, and money laundering.
- Fostering Regional Cooperation: Bringing together law enforcement professionals from multiple countries to collaborate and share best practices.
These efforts help stabilize the region and promote security across West Africa.
What recent activities have been conducted at the RTC?
In just under a year, the RTC has hosted over 20 training activities, including:
- Financial Investigative Criminal Analysis (FICA)
- Counter-Narcotics Agent Training
- Opening an Office of Professional Responsibility
- Transnational Organized Crime Initiative (TOCI)
These programs were conducted in collaboration with the U.S. government and other agencies to address pressing security challenges in the region.
What are the future plans for the RTC?
The RTC is actively expanding to meet growing demand for its training programs. Future plans include:
- Increasing Staff: Hiring additional personnel to support training activities.
- Leasing Additional Space: Expanding the facility to accommodate more programs.
- Launching New Programs: Developing a slate of over 20 regional programs for the upcoming year.
These initiatives aim to enhance the RTC’s capacity to provide high-quality training and support law enforcement efforts across West Africa.
