Ghanaian troops in Lebanon commended

Brigadier General Patrick Phelan, Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), has praised the Ghanaian contingent for its sacrifices and devotion to duty in the quest for lasting peace in South Lebanon.

“I have been closely monitoring the progress of the Ghanbatt since its insertion in the UNIFIL Area of Operation, and I must admit all of you have so far performed remarkably well”, Brig. Gen. Phelan made the remarks during medal Presentation Parade held at the headquarters, AL-Qawzah in Lebanon.

A statement signed by Lieutenant Commander M. A. Larbi for the Director of Public Affairs, Ghana Armed Forces, copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, indicated that the parade was to decorate Ghanaian troops (Ghanbatt 77) for their role at the battlefield.

Brig. Gen. Phelan, who was also the reviewing officer, praised the gallant officers, men and women of Ghanbatt 77 for their hard work and immense contribution towards the maintenance of peace and security in Lebanon.

He said Ghanbatt has resolved to dominate its area of operational responsibility through the conduct of day and night patrols, monitoring of the Blue Line to avoid violations and conducting series of operations in coordination’s with the Lebanese Armed Force.

Brig. Gen. Phelan recounted that Ghana’s involvement in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping dated back to the 1960s when Ghanaian troops were deployed to the then Belgian Congo now (Democratic Republic of Congo).

He praised Ghana’s Honorary Consular General to Lebanon, Michel Haddad for gracing the occasion.

Brig, Gen. Phelan also commended the contingent Commander, Colonel Reginald Yemo Odoi, and commanding Officer of Ghanbatt 77 Lieutenant Colonel Francis Anemana for their exemplary leadership, which had projected Ghana’s outstanding image in peace support operations.

The day was marked by four contingents made up of 17 officers and 136 men and women as well as the Ghanbatt regimental band.