Ghana contributes 9,000 troops to peacekeeping in Sierra Leone

Accra, Oct. 4, GNA - Ghana has contributed 9,000 troops to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), a statement by the Armed Forces said on Tuesday Apart from the core duty of maintaining peace, the troops engaged in humanitarian activities such as the provision of free medical care, distribution of clothing, educational materials and construction of community support projects.

The battalion additionally provided training assistance to the Infantry Brigade of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). Addressing a Mission Accomplishment Parade of the withdrawal of the last batch of UNAMSIL in Accra, Maj. Gen. Samuel Odotei, Chief of Army Staff praised the troops for discharging their duties with zeal and utmost professionalism.

"The Military High Command has monitored with keen interest, satisfied with your operational activities in Sierra Leone and is glad that you distinguished yourselves as worthy ambassadors of Ghana". The last batch of Ghanaian troops, were withdrawn following the UN Resolution 1610, which tasked the Secretary-General to ensure that all UN forces ended their operation by December 31, 2005. UNAMSIL code-named "Combat 11" under the command of Lt Col William Omane-Agyekum was deployed on March 10, this year. It was established in 1999 under the UN Resolution 1270 to provide peace-keeping in war ravaged Sierra Leone.

Ghanaian troops had earlier operated under the West African Peacekeeping Force ECOMOG and successfully carried out peacekeeping work in Liberia.