UN Applauds Ghana’s Efforts At Peacekeeping

In a ceremony held in Ivory Coast on Firday, 28 June 2013, serving personnel of Ghanaian Contingent in La Cote d’Ivoire, made up of Infantry Battalion (Ghanbatt)18,commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ben Nyarko; Ghana Medical Level 2 Hospital (Ghanmed 9) commanded by Colonel Michael Yeboah-Agyapong and Ghana Aviation Unit ( Ghav 14)commanded by Wing Commander Elvis King Arneson, were presented with United Nations Operations in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) Medals.

In his address, the Guest of Honour, Brigadier General Mohammad Yousaf, the Mission Sector East Commander, paid tribute to Ghana for continually contributing troops for peace keeping since 1960. He commended personnel of the Ghanaian Contingent for their high level of professionalism, hard work and discipline displayed at the mission area. He also lauded the contingent for the various humanitarian activities (medical outreaches, drug donations, distribution of potable water to communities, provision of plastic chairs, Public Address systems and generators for social functions. He applauded troops of Ghanbatt 18, deployed in Bondoukou, for the high level of professionalism that was displayed during the Regional and Municipal Elections that was held on Sunday 21 May 2013.

The parade, which commenced at 1000 hours was commanded by the Commanding Officer(CO) of Ghanbatt 18, Lt Colonel Ben Awere Nyarko.

The ceremony was held at the Bondoukou Camp of Ghanbatt 18. A high powered military delegation from Ghana, headed by the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Commodore Godson Zowonoo, joined the troops to celebrate the momentous occasion. Other memebers of the delegation included Brigadier General JK Kwankye, Colonel W Omane-Agyekum, Colonel SO Bel- Nono, Group Captain M Appiah-Agyekum and Commander(Navy) Eric Osei.

Notable personalities at the ceremony, among others, included the Prefet of Gontougo, the Mayor of Bondoukou, the District Chief Executive of Jaman North (Sampa) Hajia Amina Amadu and commanders of all the local Security Services.