700 Ghanaian Peacekeepers honoured in Liberia

Accra, Sept. 8, GNA - Seven hundred Ghanaian peacekeepers, serving with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), have been decorated with medals for their outstanding achievements in contributing to peace in that country.

The peacekeepers, comprising 644 men and 56 women, are part of the 12th Ghanaian Battalion operating with UNMIL under the command of Lieutenant Colonel C.K. Lithur, since April 2010.

A statement issued in Accra on Wednesday and signed by Major K. Baah-Bentum on behalf of the Director of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) said Madam Ellen Margrethe Loj, Special Representative of United Nations Secretary General, decorated the personnel at Buchannan, Liberia.

She commended Ghana for her consistent and steadfast willingness to contribute to the UN's call for global peace and security.

"Since 1948, many nations had supported the UN in its quest for global peace and security by contributing troops and police to peacekeeping operations, but few could beat Ghana's support," she added.

Madam Loj noted that Ghana had participated in 24 peacekeeping missions over decades and the UN had relied on the professionalism and dedication of the Ghana Armed Forces and Police to support its missions around the world.

She said the gradual improvement in the rule of law and justice system in Liberia and her significant economic recovery was a 93sign of Liberian's moving forward towards a better future".

Madam Loj pledged the UN's support for the preparations towards Liberia's elections in 2011 that would allow Liberians to 93assume the driver's seat while UNMIL retreats to the co-driver seat."

The statement said rear Admiral Mathew Quarshie, Chief of Naval Staff, led Ghana's delegation to the ceremony.