Ghana Army Engineer Contingent celebrates Medal Parade in Tombouctou, Mali

The Force Commander (FC) of the United Nations Muti-Dimentional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), Lt Gen Dennis Gyllensporre has retold Ghana’s commitment, support, contribution and recognition towards global peace and service to humanity.

The FC made this admission on Friday 8 November 2019 at the United Nations (UN) Medals Presentation ceremony of Ghana Army Engineer Contingent (GHANENGCOY 7) deployed in Tombouctou Integrated Super Camp (ISC) in Mali.

In his speech, Lt Gen Gyllensporre noted that the physical representation of the Company’s engineer works with excellent timely delivery of Task Orders is a declaration of care on the part of the Ghana Armed Forces and Ghana throughout the mission. He mentioned amongst others, the prudent provision of mobility, survivability, and general engineering support, the core of MINUSMA mandate to Units within the sector and Tombouctou Township. On security and mandate responsibility, the FC further urged the medal recipients to remain courageous, robust, efficient and proactive at all times.

The Officer Commanding (OC) GHANENGCOY 7, Lt Col Winston Luck Kwao Djiyehue during his welcome address disclosed that in the past 9 months, out of the 91 engineering Task Orders received from the UN Sector Headquarters, the Company has successfully completed 85 with the remaining ongoing. An achievement he, nonetheless, noted was accomplished with challenges of extreme weather conditions and volatile security situation.

These Task orders, he added were rehabilitation and repairs of existing buildings and structures, construction of prefabricated buildings, construction of permanent & Transit camps, Relocation and deployment of Temporary Operating Bases, Maintenance and upgrading of major & alternative resupply routes, Helipad constructions, maintenance & repairs, Site preparation for camp constructions, Airfield maintenance & repairs, provision of Force protection, Installation of water purification & treatment plants, water production and as well as the maintenance of water treatment facilities, amongst others.

Lt Col Djiyehue in his closing remarks thanked all who graced the ceremony and expressed his sincerest appreciation to Ghana’s Ambassador to Mali, HE Maj Gen Francis Adu-Amanfo (Rtd) who represented the Government and President of the Republic of Ghana, the Head of Delegation and Chief of the Army Staff, Maj Gen William Azure Ayamdo with the other members of the medal delegation, Senior Officers and Civilian Staff of the UN, religious and political leaders of Tombouctou city for their representation. In attendance also were the Sector West Commander, Brig Gen Eno Eno Eyong (Nigeria), and his Deputy, Leadership of MINUSMA in Tombouctou, Friends of the Company and Ghanaians living in Tombouctou.

As part of activities to mark the medals day celebration were the delegation’s courtesy calls in Bamako, on Ghana’s Ambassador to Mali, Maj Gen Francis Adu-Amanfo (rtd), MINUSMA Force Commander, and MINUSMA Director of Mission Support, Norman Atkins, Force Armées Maliennes Commander, Maj Gen Coulibaly Abdoulaye, and other key components of the mission. As part of the celebration there was a live band by the “Sappers International live Band” on the evening of Saturday 9 November 2019 at the Sappers Camp, Tombouctou. Thanksgiving religious parade and friendly volleyball match between Combodia EOD Unit on Sunday 11 November 2019 to climax the medals celebration. The outcome was 3-1 in favour of the Ghana Army Engineers.

GHANENGCOY 7 was deployed in Tombouctou, Mali, on 5 February 2019 for a one year tour of duty. The Company still has 3 more months of providing engineering support to MINUSMA Units in Tombouctou before returning to Ghana.