Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Force Commander, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) – Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Mohan Subramanian has awarded a Citation of Honour to the Commanding Officer (CO) UNMISS Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT) 11 – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Dominic Ampomah, to acknowledge and reward his excellent leadership and efforts to the attainment of the Mandate, since GHANBATT 11’s inserted.
Gen M Subramanian, on Tuesday 23 July 2024, presented the Force Commander’s Commendation to Lt Col D Ampomah and cited him for staying focused on the enhancement of morale, motivation, and discipline of his troops, which has inured to the maintenance a high standard of discipline within his Battalion.
The FC indicated that, Lt Col Ampomah has over the period established a good working relationship with other battalions and International Staff within the Sector, and the Mission as a whole.
The General further cited the actions of Lt Col Ampomah during armed clashes in the general areas of Kalgai and Philling in Leer County of Unity State in November 2023, and the clashes in Pariang in June 2024.
Under the command and leadership of Lt Col Ampomah, Leer Company Operating Base (COB) of UNMISS GH11, professionally managed the crisis of 29 November 2023, when defected armed group of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) clashed with main SPLA-IO.
The actions of the COB helped to secure and protect the lives of over 2000 locals, and provided protection for a number of humanitarian aid workers, and International Non-Governmental Organization staff within the period.
Similarly, during the crisis in Pariang in June 2024, as a preemptive measure, Lt Col D Ampomah’s GHANBATT, deployed a Long Duration Patrol (LDP) in Munga Port which helped to avert escalation of clashes in the area thereby protecting the lives of civilians.
Through the ingenuity of UNMISS GH11’s Commander, adequate veterinary medicines were procured to treat livestock of the locals, and following his guidance, a comprehensive veterinary plan was drawn leading to the treatment and vaccination of about 27,237 cattle, goats and sheep within Bentiu, Leer and Koch counties.
Placing emphasis on operational readiness and training, he led the Battalion to achieve an excellent grading of 93.59% in the Operational Readiness Evaluation, drawing commendations from the Sector Headquarters and Mission Leadership.
Over the period, he also undertook a range of welfare projects aimed at improving the working and living conditions of his troops, some of which were the reconstruction of the burnt Post Exchange Shop at Juba Rear Base, to a Multi-Purpose Lodge.
At the GHANBATT HQ in Bentiu, the CO initiated the construction of a prefab unit for Female Officers’ Accommodation, the construction of two 6-unit prefab module accommodation for troops, and initiated upgrade works on the GHANBATT’s Ammunition Storage Area, which included installation of air-conditioners, paneling and construction of rain gutters, to bring them to UNMISS standard.
Additionally, he initiated the construction of two new observation posts, facilitated the completion of a hard wall ablution for troops. Furthermore, and the construction of an emergency gate at the GHANBATT HQ, which hitherto was non-existent.
Under his leadership, Lt Col Ampomah upgraded Internet connectivity to high speed Wi-Fi across all GHANBATT positions, at no cost to troops, to enable them communicate with their families back home.
There also were constructions of four (4) prefab unit accommodation, prefab ablution unit, a kitchen, a main gate at Koch TOB, and at Leer COB, there was the installation of kitchen equipment, renovation of main gate and the construction of a Vehicle Shed.
Through his constant complaint of the water situation in Koch, the TOB was provided with a mechanized borehole by the Mission Support Centre.
Credit: UNMISS GH 11 PIO CELL
