The Chief of Air Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Julius Otchere Boateng has commended Ghanaian soldiers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for performing so marvellously in Southern Lebanon to the admiration of all in the midst of constant threat to their lives especially after the 34 ? Day war between Israel and the Hezbollah. He also commended the Commanding Officer of the Ghanaian troops in Lebanon, Lt Col William Omane Agyekum for his able leadership that has ensured that Ghanaian troops have managed to prevent the re-occurrence of the war with their constant day and night patrols along the Blue Line that divides the states of Israel and Lebanon. AVM JO Boateng made these comments when he led a six?man delegation to participate in the presentation ceremony of UN peace Medals to the Ghanaian troops in Lebanon. A citation that accompanied the award of the peace Medals paid strong tribute to the troops for their professionalism, dedication to duty and contribution in helping to achieve the goals set by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. During the Medals presentation ceremony at the Ghanaian Battalion Headquarters in Southern Lebanon, the Force Commander of UNIFIL, Maj Gen Claudio Graziano was full of praise for the role being played by the Ghanaian troops who number over Eight Hundred. He said the task of the Ghanaian troops were so sensitive because most of the flash points within the UNIFIL area of responsibility were located within the Ghanaian areas and almost all their positions were located between the border of Israel and Lebanon. Maj Gen Graziano however advised the troops to take all the security measures put in place seriously as there are constant threats of attacks on UN peacekeepers. He commended the troops for not only concentration on their operational duties, but also providing constant humanitarian assistance to the local Lebanese populace in the areas of free medical and dental care and also the provision of drinking water. At a durbar with the Ghanaian soldiers, AVM JO Boateng updated troops on current situation back in Ghana. He mentioned the re-denomination of the cedi, the on-going load shedding exercise and efforts that has been put in place to ensure its resolution by the government. AVM Boateng also touched on efforts by the Military high Command to improve the living conditions of all military personnel, in areas such as accommodation and salary. He advised the troops not to be complacent in their achievements in the peacekeeping area, but to constantly work to raise the image of not only the Ghana Armed Forces, but Ghana as a whole. On his part, the Commanding Officer of UNIFIL Ghanbatt 66, Lt Col William Omane-Agyekum who is also the Commanding Officer of the 6 Infantry Battalion in Ghana assured that the security situation notwithstanding, his troops will continue to work very hard to excel and raise the already positive image of Ghana even higher. He expressed his appreciation to the Ghana Government and the Military High Command for sending such a high level delegation to witness their medal day ceremony. Present at the ceremony was HE Mr Michel Haddad, Honorary Consul of Ghana to Lebanon and the Ghana Contingent Commander, Col George Biah. Source: Andy La-Anyane Press Information Officer UNIFIL GHANBATT 66