15 out of 120 men from the Engineer's squadron of the Ghana Armed Forces were deployed to Mali Monday morning to help in the crises there. Another 15 left in the afternoon after a brief prayer and dedication service at the 48 Engineer's Regiment in Teshie. After a show of morale, prayers were said for the troops amidst encouraging messages as they embark on their journey to Mali. Although the number of days to be spent there cannot be determined, Director of Public Affairs at the GAF, Colonel Imbawine Attintande said per the standing procedure of the GAF, the troops will remain in Mali for at least 6 months after which thy will be replaced if the crises persists. With Ghana's engineering role in the mission, in Mali; the specific roles for the troops will be, among other things, to provide perimeter security for the camps of over 3000 soldiers from various countries there, provide electricity, maintain facilities and do some minimal construction works. The troops and their equipment were airlifted by the royal aircraft C 17, provided by the UK Government since Ghana does not have an aircraft with such capacity. With 2 batches of 15 troops and equipment leaving the country everyday, the exercise is expected to end by Friday 15th February 2013 by which time all 120 troops would have landed in Mali. To think this could be a journey of no return, is an opinion the men in uniform do not share in. Commander of the squad Ernest Niru tells JOYNEWS, there is not a dint of fear in his men. He has been doing this for 15 years; and he seeks prayers from his family and the Ghanaian people to go into Mali and return safely. This is confirmed by Lieutenant Adonara who is a first timer. He believes they have been well equipped to carry out the task. So how protected are these men whose job it is to put their lives on the line for others? Colonel Mbawine Atintande says in the case of Mali where there is likely to be suicide bombers among others, the troops have been schooled on how to protect themselves While their wives and families dubbed tears off their eyes, the gallant men in uniform are ever hopeful to help stabilize Mali and return in one whole piece to their family and loved ones here in Ghana