The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT) 11 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Ampomah has been honored with the prestigious UN Peacekeepers Medals after serving eight months of their one year duty tour with diligence and professionalism.
A total of 125 all ranks were decorated with the medals at a colorful parade held at the GHANBATT Headquarters in Bentiu on Tuesday 7 May 2024.
The sight feasting parade featured 3 male contingents, one female contingent, a colour party and the GHANBATT Regimental Band. The parade was commanded by the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Dominic Ampomah.
The Reviewing Officer for the parade, the UNMISS Force Commander (FC), Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian in his address commended personnel of GHANBATT 11 for their resilience, dedication and high sense of professionalism exhibited within the period, lauding the CO for his good and exemplary leadership.
He Acknowledged that notwithstanding her deployment in one of the most difficult and challenging sectors in the Mission, GHANBATT 11 has worked hard to maintain and sustain peace in her Area of Responsibility.
He expressed that as esteemed members of the United Nations fraternity, he took pride in the privilege of being part of the ceremony adding that the event signified GHANBATT’s successful contributions towards the sustenance of Peace in South Sudan.
He further commended the CO and personnel of the Ready and Willing fraternity for maintaining the highest standards for which the Ghana Armed Forces is noted for.
The event was climaxed with a cultural night and a life band concert dubbed the ‘Medal Day Bash’.
The night saw the full display of some cultures of some ethnic groups in Ghana.
This event was aimed not only to entertain troops and the Medals Day Delegation but also to expose the invited guests to a common appreciation of the diverse cultures in Ghana.
The night featured different performances from some ethnic groupings in Ghana.
These include the Ga and Dangbe, Akans, the Ewes and a representation of the Northern tribes of Ghana.
The various groups presented a spectacular display that portrayed an aspect of their culture with dances, skits, and songs with varied costumes and drums.
Troops and guests were thereafter entertained to some highlife and hiplife music by the GHANBATT Band.
Dignitaries present at the Medals Presentation Parade were the UNMISS Force Commander, Lt Gen Mohan Subramanian, The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and also the leader of the Medals Day Delegation, Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, the UNMISS Sector Unity Commander, Brig Gen William Ryarasa, the UNMISS Sector South Commander Brig Gen Munesh Tamang, the UNMISS Sector West Commander who doubles as the Contingent Commander (CONTICO), Brig Gen Dominic Gbedawo, the Defence Attache (DA) Ethiopia, Brig Gen Richard Edukwesi Woanya, The representative of the Head of Field Office (HoFO) Madam Stella Folasade Abayomi, and the Rubkona County Commissioner Mr James Clement.
Other members of the Medal Day Delegation present at the event were the Chief Staff Officer Air Force Headquarters, Air Cdr Eric Yirenkyi, Director Budget, General Headquarters (Procurement, Research and Development), Capt (GN) Anthony Sarfo, the Aide-de-Camp of the COAS, Capt EY Babilah, the Sergeant Major of the Army, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ansah Yeboah I.
Others dignitaries present were the Section Heads of the UNMISS Bentiu Field Office, Commanding Officers of the Mongolia Battalion, Pakistani Military Engineer Task Force (Pak METF), Vietnamese Level II Hospital and the Ghana Formed Police Unit.
