Ghanaian soldiers receive medals in South Sudan

A total of 300 Ghanaian troops serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have been honoured with medals in recognition of their service to UN peacekeeping.

A statement by the UN Information Centre, in Accra, on Tuesday, said Mr Eugene Owusu, a Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and UN Humanitarian Coordinator, who presided over the medal parade, held at Bentiu, South Sudan, encouraged the peacekeepers to continue to bring hope to the people of South Sudan and to continue to work with the communities to alleviate their suffering.

“The situation in South Sudan is difficult at the moment,” he said. “The world’s youngest country has encountered many challenges since the optimism and hope that first came with independence. It is encouraging that the big guns are silent, and that the peace process is broadly holding.”

“We cherish and that a Transitional on National Unity will be formed soon to give the long suffering people of South Sudan the opportunity to rebuild their lives and for many South Sudanese the opportunity to live the life of dignity,” Mr Owusu said.

He also advised the peacekeepers to respect the policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, saying that the peacekeepers were there in South Sudan to protect the population.

“The Secretary-General, and the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and I would like to remind you of the importance of the exemplary behavior,” he said.

“As the peacekeepers, we must never forget that we are here to protect and support the people of South Sudan. We are here to support peace and help the South Sudan people to live in dignity”.

Mr Owusu said: “It is our individual and collective duty to safeguard the dignity of the people that we are here to support and protect. Everyone, from the senior mission leadership, commanding officers, to young soldiers, or staff members, must comply with the policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.”

UNMISS, which was established in 2011, with the mandate of the protection of civilians; monitoring and investigation of human rights; creation of the conditions for delivery of humanitarian assistance; and offering support for the Implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.

Ghana is currently the eight largest contributor of military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping with 3,198 currently deployed worldwide.