By Iddi Yire
Accra, April 11, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has lauded the role of the Ghana Armed Forces in the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Missions.
President Mahama gave the commendations in his address at the graduation of the Regular Career Course 63 of the Ghana Military Academy at Teshie, near Accra.
He said the Peacekeeping Missions of the Ghana Armed Forces dates to the 1960s when under Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory, Ghana participated in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force deployed in the Republic of Congo.
“Today, I pay profound tribute to the Ghanaian military martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Congo and other places,” he said.
“For the youth of today, let me inform you that the Congo Junction at the entrance of Bema Camp is a constant reminder of the sacrifices of our gallant men and women in uniform.”
The President reminded the graduands that the military was a noble and sacrificial profession respected by all men and women that they were being commissioned to.
“You must sustain and enhance the momentum and add to the gains of your forebears and be ready to defend Ghana even at the peril of your lives.”
President Mahama said since the 1960s, Ghana had remained unrivaled in its commitment and dedication to the cause of international peace efforts under the banner of the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and other mandates.
Adding to that it had also deepened their understanding and improved their engagement in peace support operations.
“Indeed, Ghana is ranked the seventh largest troop-contributing country to United Nations peace support operations. Globally, our officers and soldiers serve in 15 missions with a deployed strength of over 2,600 military personnel.”
The President said presently, Ghana had personnel in Lebanon, in South Sudan, Abyei, The Gambian, Guinea-Bissau, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Cyprus, the Central African Republic, Libya, Western Sahara/Morocco, Yemen and Somalia.
He said Ghana’s commitment to peacekeeping would continue as they contribution to creating a peaceful world for all.
“To maximize our national interest and well-being of the troops, we will streamline peacekeeping operations in line with UN requirements to yield the rewards that reflect our contribution on that global stage.”
He said the practice of fairness and integrity would be central as we enforce transparency in the selection process for peacekeeping duties.
“Together with your hard-working military high command, we shall ensure that the most qualified officers and soldiers are given the opportunities to serve,” President Mahama said.
“Our deployment has been gender-sensitive, making Ghana Armed Forces the standard-bearer in the deployment of formed female soldiers across peacekeeping missions.”
President Mahama noted that Ghana had exceeded the United Nations gender target for gender deployment.
He said for formed troops, Ghana had deployed 24.62 females, higher than the United Nations target of nine per cent and that Ghana had deployed 23.3 per cent females for staff officers and military observers more than the UN target of 14.21 per cent; saying “congratulations to our women in uniform.”
The President said apart from helping to maintain global peace and security, the exposure of the Ghana Armed Forces and its troops to the negative effects of war and undemocratic change in government had been of benefit to national development.
“It is therefore in order that the Ghana Armed Forces continues to maintain its support for the constitution and the state, and the maintenance of our democratic system of government, even in the face of coup d’etats across our sub-region,” he said.
“And that is why today, as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, on behalf of the people of Ghana, I have worn the uniform of the Ghana Navy to identify with our men and women in uniform. We are in solidarity with you, and we will support you every step of the way.”
To graduating cadets, the President said they were being commissioned at a time when the sub-region was facing security threats and that these threats had the tendency to erode their collective security gains.
The President further commended and congratulated the award recipients, especially Senior Under Officer Mustapha Salim Danabja, who has been adjudged the Overall Best Cadet of Regular Career Course 63 and the Overall Best Cadet in the Army Faculty.
The Military Cane Award, which is given to the Cadet adjudged the second overall best Cadet went to Junior Under Officer Nakobu Mohammed Abdul-Hamid.
Whereas Academic Cane Award, given to the Cadet who placed third in the cumulative order of merit, went to Junior Under Officer Kwarteng Michael Owusu, among other award winners.
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