Tragedy for Ghanaian Soldiers

...Unamsil Soldier Dies in Road Accident

Freetown ,(Sierra leone) -- The recent Eid-ul- fitri was not good for officers and men of Ganbatt in UNAMSIL as tragedy struck one of their colleagues who was involved in a gruesome road accident along the highway leading towards mile 91 in the Tonkolili district in the northern region.

Eyewitnesses intimate that the two soldiers from the Ghana Battalion (Ghanbatt 6) were on board the official car of their commanding officer, Lt. Col. J. B. Guyiri on their way to their new deployment at Lungi.

Reports say the driver, Lance Corporal Musa was in a high speed along Mile 91 highway when all of a sudden he entered a pothole which rendered the vehicle uncontrollable, and its subsequent somersaulting and crashing into a nearby tree.

The vehicle was seriously damaged, while one of the occupants, Corporal Osei Boateng died on the spot and the driver sustained major injuries all over his body.

Lance Cpl. Musa K. was conveyed to the Hill Station Christmas Hospital where he is currently admitted while the late Cpl. Osei Boateng was also conveyed to the mortuary.

Sources close to Ghabatt 6 disclose that the dead soldier will be flown to Ghana on Saturday December 14 for burial arrangement.

Report says the late Cpl. Osei Boateng was enlisted to the Ghana armed Force about ten years ago.

The late man arrived in Freetown for the first time three months ago as a UN peacekeeper.

"Cpl. Osei was a disciplined soldier who commanded high esteem among his colleagues for his humility and bravery. He has left an indelible mark in Ghanbatt 6 and will be missed for his cheerful voice and love for his colleagues," said a senior officer in a tearful voice.

The late Osei have also served as a UN peacekeeper in the Lebanon.

He was 33 years old, and is survived by his parents in Ghana.