Kofi Ampeah Woode
United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Ghana Battalion 11 (GHANBATT) has scored 93.59%, exceeding the Overall Assessment Standard in its Operational Readiness Evaluation in January 2024, after ensuring effective training activities and enhanced operational capabilities; and fifty (50) of its personnel have also received UN Citations and Certificates of Commendation.
The Force Commander (FC), UNMISS – Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Mohan Subramanian, presented the Commanding Officer (CO), UNMISS GHANBATT 11 – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Dominic Ampomah, and 50 of his troops, with the UN Citations and Certificates of Commendation, on Tuesday 23 July 2024, at UNMISS Bentiu Field Office Camp, for their outstanding services and professionalism, in the pursuit of peace in South Sudan.
The Citation of the FC’s commendation referred to GHANBATT 11’s unwavering commitment in achieving its mandate in Sector Unity, its Protection of Civilians (PoC), and assisting humanitarian and aid agencies, in close collaboration with other UN stakeholders, as part of the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2729 in South Sudan.
Lt Gen M Subramanian highly commended the astute leadership of Lt Col D Ampomah for spearheading the completion of significant projects, which were geared towards improving the living and working conditions of troops in GHANBATT positions.
In achieving its mission, GHANBATT 11 dominated its assigned Area of Operational Responsibilities (AoR) with robust patrols, engagement activities and escort duties, with exemplified standards of professionalism, as the GHANBATT conducted over 798 Short Duration Patrols, 9 Long Duration Patrols, 559 protection duties, 15 Dynamic Air Patrols, 708 Buffer Zone Patrols and 16 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp Integrated Patrols.
Also referenced to was the prompt and proactive response by GHANBATT Company Operating Base (COB) in Leer, during the clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and some SPLA-IO defectors on 28 November 2023, as a classic demonstration of the Battalion’s professional contribution to PoC within UNMISS’ Mandate.
The Company’s swift response and intervention provided safety and security for over two thousand (2000) civilians, one hundred and forty-eight (148) humanitarian workers, eighteen (18) construction workers, and the successful evacuation of eight (8) international staff from Leer to Bentiu.
GHANBATT 11 has also supported the Sector Headquarters (HQ) with other major engineering tasks, such as the construction of Observation Posts, installation of streetlights, and improvement of perimeter fencing within the UNMISS Camp in Bentiu.
With the history of devastating floods in Sector Unity, GHANBATT 11 also supports immensely in preventing dyke breaches, as part of Sector HQ preemptive measures.
As part of efforts at winning the hearts and minds of the local population, GHANBATT 11 through its Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities, has extended its influence to communities in its AoR, with activities including veterinary outreaches within communities in Unity State, where over 27,237 livestock (23,910 cattle, 1,125 sheep and 2,202 goats) were treated of various diseases.
Others activities of the Ghanaian troops include the provision of potable drinking water and teaching assistance, donation of stationeries and sanitary pads to selected local communities, among others, which resulted in GHANBATT 11 attaining high recognition and publications in UNMISS magazines and some UNMISS and UN social media platforms.
Furthermore, as part of contributions to promote UN’s agenda on Female Participation in Peacekeeping, GHANBATT 11 deployed with 73 females forming 10.3% of the total population, exceeding the 10% requirement for female deployment amongst UN Peacekeeping Troops Contributing Countries (TCC).
This aided GHANBATT 11 in composing an equal number of males and females engagement team which plays a vital role in achieving the UN’s desire to protect women and children from Conflict Related and Gender Based Violence (GBV).
The Ghanaian engagement team successfully conducted over 226 engagements with focus on Sexual and GBV, community health, agriculture, as well as community sensitization and awareness in Unity State.
GHANBATT 11 has also received high commendations from community leaders, Unity State, and the entire mission leadership, for their professionalism in safeguarding lives during local clashes.
Credit: UNMISS GH11 PI CELL
