Kofi Ampeah WoodeLieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Baffour Antwi Sarpong – Commanding Officer (CO) of the Third Ghanaian Battalion (GHANBATT 3), serving under the auspices of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), has taken over Command after a Transfer of Authority Ceremony.
The Colourful Ceremony held at the GHANBATT Headquarters, Athony Company Operating Base on Thursday 13 June 2024, marks the beginning of a new era of Command for GHANBATT 3, to serve and maintain peace in the UNISFA Area of Operation, and the successful completion of GHANBATT 2’s tour of duty.
The Guest of Honour, and Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander (Ag HoM/FC) – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Ameer Muhammad Umrani in his address, recalled Ghana’s long-standing history of peacekeeping, dating back to the 1960s, and its current ranking among the top Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) globally.
He expressed his appreciation to the Government and people of Ghana for their continuous support to UNISFA, and commended the CO and personnel of UNISFA GHANBATT 2, for their exceptional display of professionalism and dedication, during their 14-months tour of duty.
“They have protected civilians, defended UNISFA personnel and installations, and engaged in humanitarian activities. Their invaluable contribution under the leadership of Lt Col Edward Sarpong Appiah, had been exemplary. Your legacy of service will endure long after your departure from UNISFA”, he said.
Brig Gen Umrani, finally welcomed the in-coming CO – Lt Col BA Sarpong to the Mission and urged him to maintain the high standards set by his predecessor.
On his part, the out-going CO – Lt Col ES Appiah thanked the Almighty God for the successful completion of tour of duty with UNISFA, and lauded the gallant Officers, Men and Women of GHANBATT 2, for their dedication and hard work, despite the numerous operational challenges encountered over the period.
Lt Col Appiah seized the opportunity to thank the Ag HoM/FC, members of Mission Leadership Team, uniformed and civilian staff of UNISFA, Chiefs and people of Abyei for their unwavering support and immeasurable contributions to the success story of GHANBATT 2, and welcomed the In-coming CO, urging All Ranks of GHANBATT 3 to extend their unflinching support and efforts to Command, to ensure the success of the Unit.
The entire ceremony was climaxed by the signing of Handing and Taking Over Certificates between the Out-going and In-coming Commanding Officers.
In attendance at the Transfer of Authority Ceremony were the Commissioner of Police UNISFA – Police Commissioner Violet Nasambu Lusala; Officer-In-Charge CMS – Mr Joseph Twine and other members of the Mission Leadership Team; Contingent Commanders/COs of other TCCs, Section Chiefs at Mission and Force HQ, Members of the Ghanaian Community in Abyei, Officers and Soldiers of GHANBATTs 2 and 3, as well as GHANMEDs 2 and 3, and other invited guests.
Credit: UNISFA GH3 PI CELL
