The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey who is currently in Lebanon for a four-day working visit, paid a courtesy call on the Ghana Battalion at their Headquarters at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Tuesday 8th August, 2023.
Ghana is the oldest and currently one of the largest contributing countries, serving UNIFIL with over 850 troops. Out of this, 115 are women peacekeepers, making Ghana the largest contingent with the highest number of women peacekeepers.
Since their arrival in Lebanon in 1978, the Ghanaian contingent has carried out several operational and humanitarian activities, such as conducting patrols along the Blue line, social donations, health outreaches, capacity building in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and other governmental institutions, among others.
During the visit, the Commanding Officer of GhanaBatt 89, Colonel Kwarteng, briefed the Hon. Minister on the status of operations and indicated that despite some recent incidents, the officers were in high spirits and morale. Hon. Ayorkor Botchwey expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ghana battalion for their dedicated service to the Mission. She encouraged the officers to maintain their high sense of commitment and dedication in the discharge of their duties.
The Minister also held separate meetings with the Minister of Defence, H.E. Maurice Sleem, the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General Joseph Auon, during which both dignitaries spoke highly of the dedication and professional conduct of the Ghana battalion. They also used the opportunity to extend their gratitude to the Government of Ghana for the support it has been extending to Lebanon through the contribution of troops for UNIFIL since 1978. They assured the Minister of their unwavering support for the Ghana battalion.
Hon. Ayorkor Botchwey subsequently held meetings with the Prime Minister, H.E. Najib Mikati , the Minister of Labour, H.E. Mostafa Bayram, the Head of General Security, Mr. Elias Baysari, and Head of State Security, Mr. Tony Saliba, to discuss Ghana- Lebanon relations and the welfare of Ghanaian migrants in Lebanon.
During the meetings, the Hon.Minister highlighted some challenges being faced by some Ghanaian economic migrants and requested for the Lebanese authorities to have a relook at the guarantee system. At the end of the meetings, the relevant government agencies expressed their readiness to work together with the relevant Ghanaian agencies and the Honorary Consul of Ghana in Lebanon to draw up an agreement and outline processes that would provide the appropriate framework for Ghanaian employees in Lebanon and provide a conducive environment for their work.
The Hon.Minister subsequently visited the Honorary Consulate of Ghana in Lebanon and commended H.E. Ali Samih Jaafar, Honorary Consul of Ghana in Lebanon, for his continuous support for the welfare of Ghanaians in Lebanon. She was hopeful that H.E. Jaafar would continue with the good work and also work towards drawing more Lebanese businesses to Ghana.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
