Kofi Ampeah Woode
The leader of the UNMISS GHANBATT 11 Medals Day Delegation, and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Major General (Maj Gen) Bismarck Kwasi Onwona has paid a courtesy call on the UNMISS Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General (DSRSG), and the South Sudan Assistant Chief of Defense Force (CDF), as part of activities lined up for the Medals Day Delegation’s week-long visit to South Sudan.
During the meeting with the UNMISS DSRSG, Mr Guang Cong, on Friday 10 May 2024, the COAS thanked the Mission Leadership for their support to Ghanaian troops in South Sudan, and reiterated the importance of peace in Africa, highlighting Ghana’s contributions to Peacekeeping in Africa, assuring of Ghana’s commitment in assisting with the peace process in South Sudan, with the continual provision of troops.
Mr Guang Cong expressed gratitude for the professional, dedicated service and contributions of Ghanaian troops in South Sudan, and commended GHANBATT’s forward position at Leer for their immense role in handling armed clashes in Leer County in November 2023, indicating that the professionalism with which the GHANBATT personnel discharged their duties, significantly helped to save the lives of civilians caught up in the clashes.
In a separate meeting with the South Sudan Assistant CDF – Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Thoi Chany Reat, COAS indicated that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen the existing bilateral relations between Ghana and South Sudan, and extended greetings from the Commander in Chief (C-in-C) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and the Military High Command to the Government and the Military High Command of South Sudan.
Lt Gen Thoi Chany Reat also expressed delight towards the Government of Ghana’s interest in the peace process in South Sudan through the contribution of troops to support the Mission, and expressed the need for more collaborative efforts and capacity building between the two countries, adding that proposals are underway for personnel of South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) to be trained by GAF.
He finally highlighted and commended GHANBATT 11’s Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities within Unity state, especially the veterinary outreach program, which has helped improved on the livelihood of the local population.
Maj Gen BK Onwona presented souvenirs to the UNMISS DSRSG, Mr Guang Cong and the South Sudan Assistant CDF, Lt Gen Thoi Chany Reat on behalf of the C-in-C of GAF, Minister of Defense and the Military High Command.
Credit: UNMISS GH11 PI CELL
