Ghanaian troops deployed with the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) have been hailed by the Resident Representative of the President of ECOWAS and Head of Mission in The Gambia, Her Excellency Miatta Lily French for the distinguished conduct of their assigned tasks towards the achievement of the mission and mandate of the Force. According to her, like previous Contingents, the current Ghanaian Contingent, ECOMIG GHANCOY 6 which took over full operational responsibility of the North Bank area on 29 April 2022 has professionally, diligently and effectively dominated their area of responsibility for peace and security to the admiration of all.
The ECOWAS Ambassador made these remarks during the celebration of Ghana’s 66th Independence Day Anniversary by Ghanaian troops deployed with the ECOMIG Mission in The Gambia at Barra in the North Bank Region on Monday 6 March 2023. She acknowledged the Unit’s strong relationship with communities, assistance to the Gambia Ports Authority to secure the Barra Ferry Terminal, Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities, Key Leadership Engagements, independent and consistent combined patrols with personnel of the Gambia Armed Forces, Gambian Police Force and other sister security forces as well as continuous charitable donations to religious bodies, schools and other organizations within the North Bank Region.
“I congratulate the Contingent for the impressive display of Ghanaian culture, exhibition and mouth-watering variety of dishes served. I am fully aware that your performance today is an epitome of the standards of all Ghanaian soldiers. I encourage you to continue to show dedication and hard work in the remaining days of your tour of duty. Surely, your enormous contribution to the activities of ECOMIG will hasten our quest for enhanced democracy, peace and security in The Gambia,” she stated.
Touching on Ghana’s foreign policies, Madam French noted that Ghana was the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence led by its first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah; who played a pioneering role and inspired many countries across the continent in the struggle against colonial rule and imperialism. She further stated that the ambition of Dr Nkrumah towards the total emancipation of Africa was articulated on the eve of the independence of Ghana when he famously stated “Our independence is totally meaningless until it is linked with the total liberation of Africa”; thus leading the quest for continental unity and peace. “It was therefore not surprising when he deployed Ghanaian peacekeepers to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1960 after the country was plunged into conflict. Since then, the contribution of troops to peacekeeping has for decades been a central component of Ghana’s foreign policy. Ghana is among the top 10 contributors to peacekeeping across the world and has contributed tremendously towards peace in several countries and Africa in particular. Currently Ghana has formed troops deployed in Lebanon, South Sudan, Abyei, Mali, Guinea Bissau and The Gambia” she reiterated.
In his welcome address, the Officer Commanding ECOMIG GHANCOY 6, Lieutenant Colonel WAK Ackah stated that Ghana’s Independence Day is a symbolic and historic day which is celebrated by all Ghanaians across the world, adding that the national theme for this year’s independence anniversary: “Our unity, our strength, our purpose” was not just apt for Ghanaians but for the entire West Africa Sub-Region because our success as a people lies in unity. “Therefore, as Ghanaian peacekeepers in The Gambia, we have organized this ceremony to remind ourselves of the sacred call to duty to always ensure that our actions fortify unity, peace, security and stability”, he noted.
Lieutenant Colonel Ackah also expressed the unit’s appreciation for the excellent working relationship with the local government and traditional authorities, leadership of ECOMIG, personnel of the Gambian Defence and Security Forces and the good people of The Gambia, especially those in the North Bank Region for their support which had enabled the Ghanaian Contingent to successfully deliver its mission and mandate over the period. He also pledged the unit’s commitment to working tirelessly with the utmost professionalism to defend the enduring peace, security and stability in The Gambia.
The ceremony, which was the first of its kind held by a Ghanaian Contingent deployed in The Gambia attracted both Ghanaians working and residing in the country as well as a cross-section of Gambians. The ceremony saw a flag raising ceremony, an exhibition, cultural display and food bazaar to symbolize the pioneering Pan-African role, strength of diversity, rich culture and delectable cuisines of Ghana.
