Kofi Ampeah WoodeThe Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Military Intervention in Gambia (ECOMIG) Ghana Company 8 (GHANCOY 8) has partnered with the Gambian Defence and Security Forces (GDSF), and conducted an Inter-Security Services Sports Competition at Barra and Essau, located in the North Bank Region.
The objective of the multidisciplinary competition, which was held on Wednesday 18 September 2024, at the Essau Senior Secondary School, was to strengthen the connections between ECOMIG and GDSF personnel beyond their operational responsibilities, thus promoting coordination amongst the various organizations.
The Ghanaian Contingent Commander – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Abraham Puoriyelle Dery, said his Company’s participation in numerous security-related activities, alongside sister security agencies in the region, inspired the Contingent to engage in the sporting activities, which were aimed at strengthening the existing bond with the local forces.
Lt Col Dery also emphasized the importance of cooperation between ECOMIG and the GDSF going forward, to ensure that ECOMIG achieves its overall Mission and Mandate in The Gambia.
ECOMIG continues to participate in collaborative operations with GDSF personnel, and these non-operational activities are essential for promoting effective coordination between the two forces, he said.
The Deputy Governor of North Bank Region – Dembo Samateh stated that the sporting activity organized by ECOMIG demonstrates the unity and strong cooperation among security agencies in the region, noting that Ghanaian troops have consistently engaged in such activities with the people of the North Bank Region.
The representative of the Commander of the Gambia Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion – Major Demba Baldeh, stated that the day-long event will further strengthen the relationship between ECOMIG troops and the other participating entities.
A series of football matches launched the day’s sporting activities, with The Gambia Armed Forces emerging victorious in the knockout format football competition, after which additional competitions in volleyball, mini-marathon, table tennis, snooker, and push-ups were held at the GHANCOY Barra Camp.
GHANCOY 8 emerged as the overall champions with a total of 36 points in the fiercely contested events, while The Gambia Armed Forces followed as the First Runners-up with 19 points, The Gambia Immigration Service securing 3rd place with 14 points, The Gambia Port Authority (GPA) took 4th place with 9 points, The Gambia Fire Service and The Gambia Police Force completed the standings with 3 and 6 points, respectively.
Present at the event included Mr Suso – Senior Terminal Manager of GPA; Chief Inspector Njie Babukar of the Gambia Police Force; Mr Omar – Chief of the Gambia Fire Service; Barra and Assistant Superintendent of Immigration Lamin – Office-in-Charge of The Gambia Immigration Service, Barra.
Credit: ECOMIG GHANCOY 8
