UNOCI Chief meets with the Minister of Defence of Ghana

Abidjan, 26 September 2008 -- The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Côte d'Ivoire, YJ Choi, met with the Minister of Defense of Ghana, Albert Ken Dapaah, at the headquarters of the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) in Abidjan earlier today

Mr. Choi highlighted the contribution of Ghana to the Ivorian peace process, particularly through its contingent deployed as part of UNOCI and whose professionalism he praised.

Speaking to the press after their meeting, Minister Dapaah said he had told Mr. Choi of his appreciation for the continued support to the Ghanaian troops, thereby helping them to carrying out their important mandate.

The Minister also said he had assured the UNOCI chief of the commitment of the soldiers from his country to continue to do their best to ensure a speedy resolution of the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire.

Minister Dapaah visited the Ghanaian soldiers to encourage them to pursue their actions to benefit peace in Côte d'Ivoire.

There are a total of 553 Ghanaian troops and police serving in UNOCI at this time
The Ghanaian battalion is deployed to the region of Zanzan in eastern Côte d'Ivoire. One aviation unit based in Bouake provides transport helicopters to UNOCI.

Ghana is the sixth largest contributor of uniformed personnel to the United Nations, with more than 3,200 troops and police serving in eleven peacekeeping operations.

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For further information please contact:

Hamadoun Toure, spokesman,
Tel.: 225-06203317 Mobile: 225-05990075 Fax: 225-06203320
Email: [email protected].

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