A flag-raising, wreath-laying, and tree planting ceremony was held to commemorate the 75th International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on Monday, 29th May, 2023 at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra.
The event was held under the theme “Peace Begins with Me: 75 Years of Peacekeeping “.
The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Hon. Thomas Mbomba in his address commended United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers for their vital role in saving lives, protecting civilians, rebuilding communities torn apart by conflicts and contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security.
He also paid tribute to Peacekeepers who fell in the line of duty.
Hon. Thomas Mbomba stated that Ghana as one of the pioneering troop contributing countries of the United Nations peacekeeping efforts, recognises the key role that the United Nations plays in the maintenance of international peace and security, and added that the country had volunteered approximately 100,000 uniformed personnel as well as civilians in various capacities in more than 35 UN Missions around the world to maintain peace and security.
“Our uniformed personnel have served with pride and distinction since the 1960s, working in diverse and challenging conflict and post-conflict situations, their contributions have not only brought hope to conflict-affected regions but have also brought honour and pride to our nation” he added.
The Deputy Minister announced that Ghana had been selected to host an upcoming Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in December 2023, which bring together leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from around the world to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities facing UN peacekeeping operations.
It will also provide a platform for sharing experiences, exchange best practices, and strengthen partnerships in the collective pursuit of sustainable peace.
He added that the conference will also focus on critical issues such as the protection of civilians, improving the safety and security of peacekeepers, advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, and strengthening the performance and accountability of peacekeeping operations.
Hon. Mbomba said Ghana recognises the indispensable role of women in peacekeeping and support efforts, and had increasingly been fielding female peacekeepers, both from the military and police units and was committed to improving gender parity and integration for effective peacekeeping.
He used the occasion to congratulate Captain Cecilia Erzuah of the Ghana Armed Forces who was awarded the 2022 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year award, in recognition of her role in mainstreaming gender issues in her peacekeeping duties in the UN Interim Security Forces in Abyei (UNISFA) as commander of the Ghanaian Engagement Platoon.
In his address, the Deputy Minister for Defence Hon. Kofi Amankwa-Manu eulogised Ghanaian peacekeepers who have served selflessly, often in challenging and dangerous environments, and expressed appreciation to their families for their unwavering support.
Hon. Amankwa-Manu called for more support for peacekeeping operations through the provision of necessary resources, and empowerment of peacekeepers with tools they need to carry out their vital missions.
He also emphasised that, peace begins with each individual and not a responsibility solely entrusted to peacekeepers but a collective duty that all people should share by fostering a culture of peace in communities, promote dialogue, and address the root causes of conflict.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani commended Ghana for its unwavering commitment to United Nations peacekeeping missions since the 1960s, through the provision of soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel to numerous operations across the world.
He further stated that out of the 122 contributing countries in peacekeeping, Ghana ranks number 7 with 2,756 peacekeepers as of February 2023.
Mr. Charles Abani also paid tribute to WOII John Angmor Nartey who lost his life in the line of duty when he served with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
WOII Angmor Nartey was among the 103 peacekeepers honoured posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjold medal on 25th May, 2023 during an official event in New York.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
