Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Thomas Oppong-Peprah has paid tribute to peacekeepers devoted to serving in diverse roles, working tirelessly to foster peace in conflict affected regions across the globe.
General Oppong-Peprah praised peacekeepers when he participated in the Mission Accomplishment Religious Parade held for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Ghanaian Battalion 90 (GHANBATT 90), on Sunday 29 September 2024, at the Arakan Methodist Presbyterian Church (AMPC), Burma Camp, Accra.
The General thanked Almighty God as he described himself as the ‘happiest man’ of the day, for the return of all members of the Battalion to Ghana, in peace.
He, however stated that peacekeeping globally, is taking a different turn, and keeps changing at the operational areas from peacekeeping to peace enforcement, or in between, thus praised the battalion for taking their Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) at the Army Peace Operations School (APOTS), seriously, as it paid off at the theatre.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the gallant Officers and Soldiers of UNIFIL GHANBATT 90 for their steadfast commitment, exceptional bravery and professionalism. Your tireless efforts to promote peace in the face of formidable challenges, do not only inspire all, but also motivates us to sign for excellence.
Amid adversity, you have exhibited resilience, courage, epitomising the core values of the Ghana Armed Forces, with unparalleled distinction. Your unwavering dedication has been instrumental in maintaining peace and stability in a region that depends on it.
Your service has brought honour to our nation Ghana and exemplified the true spirit of international cooperation”, General Oppong-Peprah stated.
Delivering a sermon captioned “Honouring the Saving Lord”, with Psalms 34, the Acting Director General, Religious Affairs (A/DG RA) – Colonel (Col) Benjamin Godson Kumi-Woode, urged all members of the GHANABATT to decide to bless the Lord at all times, as it is not every good thing that happens as coincidence, for God orchestrates good things.
Reminding the troops that there is a reason why God preserved all of them and brought them back safely, he asked them to keep their body and earnings well, to serve as an honour to God. He further cited 1) Upholding right relationships; 2) Upholding marriage and family lives; 3) Upholding loyalty to the Government; and 4) Upholding Ghana, as honour to God.
In his Thanksgiving speech, the Commanding Officer (CO) UNIFIL GHANBATT 90 – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Frank Kwesi Agyeman said, throughout the Battalion’s deployment, they faced numerous trials and direct attacks that threatened safety, with constant sound of gunfire that echoed close to their positions, injuring some personnel of the battalion.
Citing how traumatized some of his troops have been, he referred to the GHANBATT’s Mission Accomplishment parade on 16 September 2024 in Accra, where the sound of a cargo aircraft that was taking off at a nearby airport, brought back scary memories, with some troops on parade forgetting that they were in Ghana, and wanted to take cover in the Bunker.
He said the mission was not just a test of military capabilities, but also of troops’ faith, discipline, and dedication to the cause of peace, and with honour they served, upholding the highest standards of GAF, bringing pride to their nation.
“In the face of danger, uncertainty, and fear, we placed our trust in God and it is by His grace that we have returned home without having to mourn a single soul. No lives were lost, and for that, we are eternally grateful to God”, the CO, who doubles as the CO of the 64 Infantry Regiment, said.
He further acknowledged the support and encouragement received from General Oppong-Peprah, the Chief of the Army Staff, Ghana Army – Major General (Maj Gen) Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, and Ghana’s Consular to Lebanon – His Excellency Mr Ali Jafah, when soldiers were inflicted by gunshots wounds and injuries from direct air strikes, which further tensed the operational atmosphere.
He finally called out Warrant Officer Class 1 (WOI) Asante Bernard, WOI Otokunor George, WOI Tetteh Henry, Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) Akumagi Awensiba Foster, and L/Cpl Tetteh Nartey Benjamin, for commendation.
Dignitaries present at the service included Maj Gen Onwona; His Excellency Ali Jafah; Chief of Staff at the General Headquarters – Maj Gen Joseph Prince Osei-Owusu; Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel and Administration – Air Vice Marshal Felix Adom Asante; Commander, Army Training Command – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Stephen Parbey; Commander Army Special Operations Brigade – Brig Gen Isaac Paintsil;
Others were Senior Officers, Commanding Officers, Chaplain, Ghana Military Academy – Lt Col Kumitse; GHANBATT Chaplain – Captain Eric Antwi; GHANBATT Imam – Abdul-Majeed, Officers, Regimental Sergeant Majors, Soldiers, families and friends.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
