One hundred and forty military personnel comprising the last batch of Ghanbatt One who served with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) returned home on Wednesday after 14 months of peace-keeping operations.
The contingent, made up of 20 officers and 120 men under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Kwame Opoku-Adusei, was met on arrival by Brigadier Lord Attivor, Commander of the Support Services Brigade of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Brigadier Attivor assisted by Colonel Bob Winful, Director, Army Operations, decorated the contingent with UNAMSIL medals, after reviewing the mission accomplishment parade of the contingent on their arrival at the forecourt of the VIP lounge of the Kotoka International Airport.
In a citation read on behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, which was signed by Major General V. K. Jetley, UNAMSIL Force Commander, the Secretary-General commended the troops for their sacrifices, dedication and valour during their mission.
In another citation read on behalf of Lieutenant General J. H. Smith , Smith, Army Commander, by Lietuenant Colonel Patrick Kwame Senchim, Deputy Director, Peace-keeping Operations, the Army Commander commended them for their excellent and enviable performance in Sierra Leone.
Lt. Gen. Smith said their performance has brought honour and glory to themselves, the Ghana Armed Forces and the entire country. Welcoming the contingent on behalf of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, Brig. Attivor described the performance of the troops who had earlier served on ECOMOG in Liberia as highly successful.
He advised them to share their experience with both the military and their civilian counterparts to avoid plunging the country in to any chaotic situation.
