Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Second Ghanaian Battalion (GHANBATT 2) of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has held a ceremony to dedicate their newly inserted Contingent Owned Equipment (COE), to fulfill the requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United Nations (UN) and the Government of Ghana, as well as enhance the operational efficiency of the Unit.
The officiating Clergy – Captain (Capt) S Aidoo (Chaplain), and Lieutenant (Lt) Y Abdallah (Imam), said prayers to dedicate the newly inserted COE into the hands of God, and for his protection over the equipment, its users, and the purpose for which they were deployed, on Sunday 21 April 2024, at the Battalion Headquarters, Athony Company Operating Base (COB), Abyei.
The Commanding Officer (CO), UNISFA GH2 – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Edward Sarpong Appiah, cut the tape to signify that the equipment were ready to be deployed for Operational and Administrative duties of the Unit, and to protect civilians in GHANBATT’s Area of Responsibility, in the attainment of UNISFA’s mandate.
Prior to the dedication, the UNISFA COE Section conducted an Arrival Inspection for the newly inserted COE on Monday 8 April 2024, at the Battalion Headquarters, where the COE were verified as serviceable and operational, pursuant to the provisions of the 2020 COE Manual, and will draw reimbursement at the appropriate rates for the Government of Ghana.
CO UNISFA GHANBATT 2 in his remarks, commended all ranks of the GHANBATT for their hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication to duty in getting the COE ready for the Arrival Inspection, and also extended special commendations to personnel of the Logistics, Quartermaster, Transport and Operations Cells.
The Medical Logistics Team, Battalion Mobile Reserve, Engineering, Signal and Maintenance Detachments were also duly commended by the CO, as he also admonished all users, drivers and operators of the newly inserted COE, to take good care and maintain the equipment.
Furthermore, he expressed appreciation to Ghana’s Military High Command, for their support in ensuring that the COE were successfully inserted into the Mission Area, in order to enhance the Unit’s operational efficiency and capacity.
Fleet of vehicles and equipment dedicated included Brone Transporter Russian (BTR) Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), Toyota Land Cruiser Mark II vehicles, Toyota Land Cruiser Assault vehicles, KAMAZ Utility Trucks, KAMAZ Water Tankers, Toyota Land Cruiser Ambulance, KAMAZ Fuel Tankers, IVECO Recovery Trucks, IVECO Maintenance Van, and assorted engineering and earth moving equipment.
Credit: UNISFA GHANBATT 2 PI CELL
