Ghanaian Officer Commended

The United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) has commended Squadron Leader Joe Adu-Gyamfi of the Ghana Air Force for his outstanding performance that led to the unravelling of the cause of the crash of a Georgian reconnaissance aircraft in Abkhazia in April, this year.

A citation accompanying a commendation letter to Squadron Leader Adu-Gyamfi by the Chief Military Observer of UNOMIG, Major-General Niaz Muhammad Khan Khattak, said, “I would like to congratulate you on your outstanding performance in the UNOMIG investigation of the April 20, 2008 shooting down of a Georgia UAV in the zone of conflict.

This was a very challenging and important investigation undertaken by UNOMIG, given the political overtones, the technical complexity of the evidence, as well as the scarcity of information provided.

Your expert analysis allowed the investigation team to confirm key facts regarding the incident, which were ultimately used to justify the conclusions of UNOMIG'S report.

“Your valuable contribution and hard work ensured the success of the UNOMIG investigation, in which your exemplary professionalism and dedication was reflected in the final report.

“The long hours and perseverance you dedicated to your work paid off immensely in unravelling a technically complex and sensitive undertaking from the beginning to the end.

“Your actions are a credit to both you and the Ghana Air Force, as well as the United Nations Mission in Liberia.”

On April 20, 2008 a Georgian UAV was shot down over the zone of conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia.

The United Nations sent out correspondence to all its missions world-wide requiring experts to assist the Joint Fact-finding Group assembled by UNOMIG to investigate the incident.

Nine experts were assembled in Georgia for the all-important special investigations.

The only African picked to join the Special Investigators was Sqn Ldr Joe Adu-Gyamfi, a pilot of the Ghana Air Force, who is currently serving with the United Nations Mission in Liberia as a Military Observer.

The others were from Britain, Denmark, Greece, Germany, Jordan and Malaysia, while the European Union sent an expert.