US Government honours former Ghanaian senior Army officer

Accra, March 11, GNA - The US Government on Friday honoured Brigadier-General Kwame Opong-Kyekyeku (rtd) with the Legion of Merit Award for his meritorious service as the Ghanaian Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attach=E9 to the US from September 2005 to September 2009. In a citation signed by the Robert Gates, US Defence Secretary, Brigadier-General (rtd) Oppong-Kyekyeku was praised for his outstanding professional competence, sound judgement and diplomacy in furthering cooperation between the United States and Ghana. "His dedicated service resulted in Ghanaian support for several initiatives critical to United States security objectives under the then newly formed African Command," the citation read. He was also praised for his active support of the African Contingency Operations Training Assistance Programme that had led to improvement in Ghana's ability to quickly respond to humanitarian crisis and peacekeeping operations.

Mr Donald Tettlebaum, the US Ambassador to Ghana, praised Brigadier-General Oppong Kyekyeku (rtd) for standing as a symbol of the great relationship between Ghana and the United States. "You have also helped foster good working relationship between the Ghana Army and that of the United States," Mr Tettlebaum said. Brigadier-General Oppong-Kyekyeku, who was thrilled by the honour, recounted some memorable occasions he had in the US and praised the American government for the honour done him. He dedicated the award to his family, friends and colleagues who stood by him through thick and thin.

Brigadier-General Oppong-Kyekyeku (rtd) was commissioned into the Ghana Army in November 1975 and retired in August 2010 having served 35 years.

During his service, he attended several courses both in Ghana and abroad. He holds a diploma in Command and Staff Functions from the US Army Command and Staff College.

He is a fellow of the Nigerian Defence College and holds a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Brigadier-General Oppong-Kyekyeku also holds a certificate in Senior Executive in National and International Security Management from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA. He has several awards to his credit including the Honour Graduate of Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College Course 12, Vice President's Award as the Best Allied Student-class of 2004 of the National Defence College, Abuja, Nigeria. He was also a recipient of the Ghana Armed Forces Long Service and Efficiency Medal and three times United Nations Medal for Peacekeeping in Egypt, Lebanon and Rwanda.