The Acting Force Commander and Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in Congo (MONUSCO), Maj Gen Adrian Forster, has commended Officers ,Men and Women of MONUSCO GHANBATT 4 for exhibiting the highest form of professionalism and dedication to duty which has carved them a niche in the MONUSCOcircles.

Maj Gen Adrian Foster, pointed out that the contingent’s professionalism and dedication to duty displayed by all ranks of the battalion is worthy of praise. The DFC made these commendations when delivering his speech as the Guest of Honour on the occasion of MONUSCO Ghanbatt 4 Medal Presentation Parade on Friday, 4November 2011, at Ghanbatt 4 Headquarters, Kinshasa.

On parade to mark the day were 9 officers and 93 men and women with Ghanbatt 4 Band in attendance under the command of Maj Selorm Kwasi Amengor, the Battalion Deputy Commanding Officer/Chief Operations Officer (DCO/COO).

The parade was witnessed by the Ghana Ambassador to the DRC, HE Peter Kwesi Eboyi Yankey, a seven-member high-powered delegation from Ghana led by Air Vice Marshal Christian Edem Kobla Dovlo, Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center. Other members of the delegation were Col EMK Yeboah, Capt (GN) MK Beick Baffour, Gp Capt KIT Caesar, Col CK Gyasensir, Lt Col JHK Buntuguh and Flt Lt E Anaman. Also present were military and civilian staffs from MONUSCO Headquarters and Congolese.

Recounting on Ghanbatt 4 tasks, Maj Gen Adrian Forster commended the Commanding Officer, Lt Col FD Arthur for posting female soldiers to the forward positions in order to boost the confidence of female soldiers and their can-do spirit, provision of armed escorts to the electoral division of MONUSCO and the air lifting of electoral materials to several locations in the DRC.

Touching on winning the hearts and minds of the Congolese people, Ghanbatt 4 conducted a medical outreach programme for an orphanage where about 350 children were attended to. Since the arrival of the battalion in the Kinshasa on 24July this year, about 2000 Congolese have benefitted from Ghanbatt Regimental Aid Post on dental cases and other ailments, the Reviewing Officer noted.

On the ceremonial front, the reviewing officer was full of praise for the Commanding Officer and all ranks of the battalion for the excellent manner they mounted numerous Guards of Honour for visiting dignitaries to MONUSCO headquarters. He urged all ranks of the battalion not to rest on their oars especially as DRC prepares to go to the polls on the 28 of this month for her presidential and parliamentary elections, but to continue to contribute towards the UN mandate through commitments, perseverance and dedication to bring lasting peace and stability to the DRC.

The day was set aside by the UN to show its appreciation to the Officers, Men, and Women of Ghanbatt for their dedication to duty towards the overall success of the mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Medal Presentation ceremony was crowned with a Non-denominational Thanksgiving Religious Service on Sunday 6 November 2011 at the Ghanbatt 4 Headquarters, Kinshasa.

STORY BY: Lt Rita Anane, Ghanbatt Press Information Officer, Kinshasa