Accra, May 28, GNA - Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni on Friday expressed gratitude to Ghanaian men and women, who had served and continue to serve in various capacities in United Nations peacekeeping operations. "I wish particularly to pay tribute to our troops, who fell during these operations over the years. They have paid the ultimate prize in the fight to maintain international peace and security. We recognise their bravery and salute their heroism.

"As we stand here today, we know that their sacrifices have not been in vain but that all humanity may live in peace and secured," said the Minister at a solemn flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at the fore court of State House in Accra to mark International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, which falls on May 29, each year. Five wreaths were laid to pay tribute to and honour fallen UN Peacekeepers.

Alhaji Mumuni laid a wreath on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, while the Acting UN Resident Coordinator, Ismail Omer laid one on behalf of the UN. Lt. Gen. John Henry Smith, Minister of Defence laid a wreath on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces, While Dr Appiah Kubi, Deputy Interior Minister, laid one for the Police and Prisons Services. Madam Georgina Dansuah, a widow of one of the Ghanaian fallen peacekeepers laid one on behalf of their families. UN Peacekeepers Day was established in 2002 by a General Assembly resolution designating 29 May - the date in 1948 when the first United Nations Peacekeeping Mission, the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), began operations in Palestine.

The Day is to pay tribute to all men and women, who have served and continue to serve in peacekeeping operations, for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage, and to honour the memory of those, who have lost their lives, in the cause for peace. The UN has dedicated this year's event to the government and people of Haiti under the theme: "Haiti Standing", for the devastating earthquake that claimed countless lives and massive loss of property. Alhaji Mumuni expressed sympathy to families of those, who had lost their lives, while serving the noble cause of United Nations to bring peace, security and stability to different corners and populations of the world. "As a country, we must continue to subscribe to the belief that lack of peace and security anywhere is a threat to fostering stability and prosperity everywhere.

"Therefore, in addition to eulogizing the gallant officers, who have served, continue to serve or have lost their lives in peacekeeping operations, this occasion should serve as a unique opportunity for us to support measures and mechanisms put in place by the Government of Ghana to promote peace first within our borders and between Ghana and other nations," he said.

Alhaji Mumuni said Ghana should not only extol examples of distinguishing herself at UN peacekeeping operations but "We must also promote the image of Ghana as a bastion of peace, security and stability to the outside world.

"We all have the responsibility to present an image of a peaceful Ghana that would be worthy of emulation to other countries. In the not too distant past, Ghana was adjudged an oasis of peace in turbulent West Africa Region. That image has very much helped in our bid to share our best practices with other nations just as the physical deployment of our personnel to keep peace, restore order and build institution in countries that were caught in conflict". "We have always sacrificed for peace, but we must ensure that we get the full dividends of this sacrifice by learning that the maintenance of peace and stability remains a supreme national interest and must be the responsibility of all our citizens. "Let me reiterate that the Government and people of Ghana are very proud of the services of their past and present of UN peacekeeping operations and commend them for the high standard they have set wherever they have been to render invaluable services," he said. In a message to commemorate the Day, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said: "On the International Day of the United Nation Peacekeepers, we honour sacrifice of the men and women who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag".

"As we honour such moving displays of courage and dedication, we also pay tribute to the more than 122,000 military, police and civilian personnel who serve with distinction in our operations across the world. "Peacekeeping is an indispensable part of UN's work for a better world. Let us give it the support it needs to succeed," Mr Ban said. This year's event is a sombre occasion. The past 14 months have been deadly for peacekeepers with ambushes in Darfur, terrorism in Kabul and a plane crash in Haiti.

These tragedies saw 121 peacekeepers killed last year. That toll was nearly matched last January with the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti were 96 peacekeepers lost their lives- the biggest single loss of life in peacekeeping history. As the international community continues to count on the "Blue Helmets" to protect the vulnerable in some of the world's most dangerous places, the services of the UN peacekeepers comes at a high cost with the loss of more than 2,700 individuals working in troubled zones around the world. Currently, more than 120,000 peacekeepers from 115 countries serving in 15 operations on four continents- already a record- is a clear evidence of global respect for, dependence on and confidence in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Of the more than 100 countries that provide uniformed peacekeepers to the UN, the largest contributors remain Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, which together provide more than 35 per cent of all blue berets. The cost of financing peacekeeping operations - more than five billion dollars a year - is borne mainly by European Union countries, Japan and the United States.