Accra, May 26, GNA - UN Envoy Ellen Margrethe Loj has stressed the importance of women's participation in peacekeeping and called on troop and police contributing countries to follow Ghana's example. Ms Loj said this when she presented UN peacekeeping medals to 37 members of the Ghana Police contingent serving with the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for their "remarkable contribution in restoring peace, the rule of law, and the process of consolidating State authority in Liberia".

A statement issued by the UN Information Centre in Accra said the contingent comprised 26 police, eight corrections and three Immigration officers, eleven of whom are women.

The Special Representative of the Secretary General said "the Ghanaian military battalion of UNMIL has the highest percentage of women of any of our troop contributing countries", adding that this clearly illustrated Ghana's commitment and support to women's participation in peacekeeping.

As the world body is readying to celebrate International Peacekeepers Day, which this year emphasizes women in peacekeeping, Ms Loj said "the United Nations has to demonstrate in practice that it makes a difference to have gender balance in security institutions". She also called for continued support for Liberia's rule of law institutions, including the Liberia National Police, Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, and Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The UN envoy said the work was not yet complete, adding: "It is for this reason that the Security Council, despite the ongoing drawdown of UNMIL military, has authorized the police component of the Mission to be strengthened further."

Ms Loj, describing Ghana as a promoter of peace, commended the police contingent for their contribution which has greatly facilitated the security and development being enjoyed in Liberia today. She paid special tribute to Contingent Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Roy Amuni, for his excellent leadership of the contingent, inspiring the men and women of the Ghana Police contingent to carry out their duties with commitment and diligence. Mr Amuni attributed successful peacekeeping to teamwork, discipline and respect for the laws and culture of the host nation. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Patrick Timbilla who represented the Inspector-General of Police, urged the Ghana Police contingent to consciously and continually ensure that discipline, tolerance, dedication and commitment to duty were to always be adhered to. He said they should show respect for the rule of law, and specifically for the laws of Liberia.

Attending the medal award ceremony were the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Rule of Law, Ms. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu; Deputy Force Commander Maj.-Gen. Carl Modey; Deputy UN Police Commissioner Gautam Sawang; Acting Head of the Ghanaian Embassy in Liberia, Mr. Nwiah Yanzu; Liberia National Police Deputy Inspector-General for Administration, Ms. Asatu Bah Kenneth; Chief of UNMIL Corrections Advisory Unit, Ms. Marjo Callaghan, and other senior Liberian police and UN officials.