Ghanaian troops honoured by UN

Ghanaian troops serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Sierra Leone(UNAMSIL) were last Friday honoured with medals for their role in Sierra Leone.

The medals were presented to them at a colourful military parade and cultural display at Lungi International Airport.

Present at the parade were Ghana's High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, H.E. Kabral Blay-Amihere, Rear Admiral J.Y. Adoko, who led a special Medals Day Delegation from Ghana, Major General Sajjad Akram, the Force Commander of UNAMSIL and his Ghanaian deputy, Brigardier General P.K. Poku as well Colonel Cephas Kofi Yeguo, Commander of the Ghanaian contingent.

The parade under the command of Lt. Colonel Sam Akorful, the Commanding Officer of Ghanbatt 9 was a classic display of the high professionalism of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Many observers described it as a vintage performance.

The smartly-dressed Ghanaian officers and men thrilled the large crowd with precise clock-like marching crowning everything with an innovative arrow-formation which drew the applause of everybody.

The session ended with cultural performance by the troops depicting the rich culture of Ghana which even the rains could not stop.

Addressing the troops, Major General Akram, the Force Commander commended the troops for excelling in their peacekeeping role in Sierra Leone and proving worthy ambassadors of their country.

The very successful parade was climaxed with a dance for the troops in the evening and a thanksgiving service last Sunday.

The troops who have been on tour of duty since March this year are scheduled to return to Ghana in late August and will be replaced by Ghanbatt 10.