Kofi Ampeah Woode
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT) 11 has participated in a flag-raising ceremony to commemorate the 78th Anniversary of the United Nations (UN) Day celebration.
The flag-raising ceremony took place on Thursday 26 October 2023 at the Buffer Zone of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Bentiu, South Sudan.
The UN officially came into existence on 24 October 1945 after the Second World War, after which the occasion has been commemorated annually, to amplify a common agenda and reaffirm the purpose and principles of the UN Charter.
The event also offers an opportunity to educate the public on issues of concern, mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, as well as celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity.
This year’s UN flag-raising ceremony was under the theme: “Towards Sustainable Peace and development in South Sudan”.
The celebration was marked by a colorful parade ceremony made up of contingents drawn from UNMISS GHANBATT, Mongolian Battalion (MONBATT) and the Ghana Formed Police Unit (FPU), and was commanded by Captain Porchia Esi Amponsah.
The Guest of Honor for the ceremony and also the Acting Governor of Unity State – Honourable William Dak Koch Ali, prior to his address, called for a minute silence in honour of gallant peacekeepers across the world who sacrificed their lives to bring about peace, and expressed his profound gratitude towards the UN, for their immense contributions towards South Sudan over the period.
He advocated for the United Nations’ Support in training, capacity building, logistical support and security in the upcoming elections, and further appealed to UN and other Humanitarian Agencies to come to the aid of the IDPs, especially in Bentiu and the entire South Sudan.
The Representative of the Acting Head of Field Office (HoFO) – Madam Don Dawnlop, in her address indicated that the UN offers member states the opportunity to reaffirm one’s dedication to global peace and security, particularly in the light of global crisis and conflicts across the world.
She commended the bravery of UNMISS, Government of South Sudan and UN humanitarian agencies, for their collective commitment towards safeguarding the civilian population, championing peace and assisting the most vulnerable in Unity State of South Sudan.
She advised the citizenry to take delight in rallying together and ensuring every individual is empowered to voice their opinion in the nation’s forthcoming elections.
Present at the event were the Acting Governor of Unity State – Honourable William Dak Kock Ali; Sector Commander – Brigadier General Emmanuel Rugazora; representative of the Acting Head of Field Office – Madam Dawn Dunlop; Senior Military Liaison Officer; Commanding Officer (CO) UNMISS GH 11 – Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Ampomah; Commander, Ghana FPU, CO of Vietnam Level II Hospital, among others.
Credit: PI CELL, UNMISS GH 11
