Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Under Secretary General (USG), Special Coordinator on improving the United Nations (UN) response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) – His Excellency (HE) Christian Saunders, who paid a 3-day visit to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) Second Ghanaian Battalion (GHANBATT 2), has praised GHANBATT for its dedication against SEA.
The visit which commenced on Tuesday 1 August 2023, at the Battalion Headquarters, Athony Company Operating Base (COB), was aimed at getting himself acquainted and updated on measures and strategies adopted by the Ghanaian Battalion, in the prevention of SEA and other forms of misconduct in Sector South of the GHANBATT’s Area of Operation.
On arrival, the USG inspected an Honour Guard and was ushered into GHANBATT Headquarters with a brief cultural display, after which he and his entourage were briefed by the Commanding Officer (CO) of the Battalion – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Edward Sarpong Appiah, on GHANBATT operational activities and measures adopted to prevent SEA.
The USG commended GHANBATT and, particularly the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), for the dedicated efforts and measures put in place to prevent SEA over the years, and admonished GHANBATT to ensure strict compliance of the measures and regulations adopted to prevent SEA.
He took the opportunity to interact with key appointment holders and urged them to support command to ensure UN policy of zero tolerance to SEA. He later toured the camp to familiarize himself with the conditions in the COB, and expressed his appreciation to GHANBATT for the warm reception accorded him, their professionalism and dedication to duty.
Members of his delegation included Dr Charlse Musonda Mbita – Deputy Police Commissioner; Ms Helen Anita Ali – Officer In Charge (OIC), Conduct and Discipline; Lt Col Mudenda – Senior Staff Officer, Conduct and Discipline; Mr Ebrima Njie – OIC, Community Liaison Office; and Captain Mibirikua Adambil-Laar – Medical Officer.
Curtesy: UNISFA-GHANBATT 2 PI CELL
