Kofi Ampeah Woode
The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) Ghana Contingent has held its End of Tour Thanksgiving Religious Parade under the theme: “Forgiveness and Reconciliation”, at the UNISFA Headquarters (HQ), in Abyei.
On Saturday 4 May 2024, the Ghanaian Contingent seized the opportunity to thank the Almighty God for a successful tour-of-duty with UNISFA, and for His protection and guidance, as they depart to Ghana soon.
The Religious Parade was officiated by the Ghanaian Battalion (GHANBATT) Clergy – Chaplain Captain (Capt) Solomon Aidoo, and Imam Lieutenant (Lt) Yunus Abdallah, who in their respective sermons, urged all to forgive each other and reconcile with one another, as written in Quran 42:40 and Romans 12:18-19.
The Clergy expressed that forgiveness is seen as a kind of gift or an act of kindness to be given to each other, hence, troops should endeavour to always forgive and reconcile with one another, as they prepare for rotation back to Ghana.
The Guest of Honour for the Parade, who is the Acting Head of Mission (Ag HoM)/Force Commander (FC), UNISFA – Major General (Maj Gen) Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, commended the Ghanaian Contingent, which comprises of the Ghana Medical Level II Plus Hospital (GHANMED) 2, under the Command of Colonel (Col) Monte Kwaku Nuamah Kutin, and GHANBATT 2, under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Edward Sarpong Appiah.
He cited the two commanders for their tremendous contributions to the success of UNISFA, through GHANMED’s provision of general medical services, and GHANBATT’s operations to protection civilians within the Area of Operation.
Maj Gen BO Sawyerr, on behalf of the United Nations (UN), expressed his sincerest gratitude to the Republic of Ghana and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), for their support and dedication towards peace in Abyei, under the auspices of UNISFA.
He further praised Ghanaians for their continuous commitment to international peace and security, recalling that Ghana has contributed troops, and participated successfully with the UN, since its first deployment in the Congo in 1960, and UNISFA was no exception.
The Guest of Honour was also thankful to GAF for its service to the cause of international peace and security in diverse ways, even at the peril of their lives, citing the late Sergeant Kyere Evans – the Ghanaian Soldier who paid the ultimate price, while servicing with UNISFA.
Present at the Ghanaian Contingent End-of-Tour Thanksgiving Religious Parade included the Deputy Force Commander UNISFA – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Ameer Muhammad Umrani; Deputy Police Commissioner, UNISFA – Dr Charles Mbita; Chief ORM – Mr Joseph Twine; Senior Programme Management Officer – Brig Gen Lawrence Gbetanu; and Members of the Mission Leadership Team.
Others were Contingent Commanders/Commanding Officers of other Troops Contributing Countries (TCCs), Section Chiefs at Mission and Force HQ, Members of the Ghanaian Community in Abyei, Officers and Soldiers of GHANBATT and GHANMED, and other invited guests.
Credit: UNISFA GHANBATT PI CELL
