The Ghana Army Engineer Company (GHANENGCOY 7), currently serving with the United Nations Multi-Dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) celebrated on Wednesday, March 6, Ghana’s 62nd Independence in a colourful ceremony amidst the threat of hostile actions by Terrorist Armed Groups in the region.

The Sector West Commander, Brig Gen Stefan Anderson (Sweden), who was the special guest of honour commended GHANENGCOY 7 Officer Commanding (OC), Lt Col Winston Luck Kwao Djiyehue and his troops for the love, nationalism and loyalty shown in upholding the tradition of their independence on foreign land.

He used the occasion to congratulate all personnel on parade after the flag hoisting ceremony at the Company’s Headquarters located within the Integrated Supper Camp (ISC), in Tombouctou.

He witnessed the first half of the day’s program, where personnel competed in singing, reciting the Ghana National Pledge, Anthem, playing of cards, oware, table tennis, draft, ludo, scrabble, and chess among others.

The OC, Lt Col WLK Djiyehue, on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lt Gen Obed Boamah Akwa, Government and the people of Ghana, seized the opportunity to welcome all to the Sappers Camp to celebrate with them. 

He also whet the appetite of about 30 different Contingent Military Commanders and Civilian Heads at the Sector Headquarters with a documentary on Ghana.

The import of the documentary was aimed at projecting Ghana as a safe place to do business and tourism in Africa. Guests were later served with delicious Ghanaian dishes.

On the theme “celebrating peace and unity”, the anniversary celebration is expected to end with an Independence Church Parade on Sunday, March 10 at the Sappers Camp in Tombouctou, Mali.

Speaking with the Second-in-Command, Major Egyah-Assuah Eshun, he reiterated that the celebration could not have been complete without the participation of the Ghanaian community here in Tombouctou, Mali.

They are mostly businessmen and women. They added colour to the celebration and were happy to be part of the celebration

The MINUSMA Force Commander, Lt Gen Dennis Gyllensporre, acknowledged and extended his greetings and best wishes to all nationals of Ghana especially the personnel with MINUSMA Force on the occasion of its 62nd Independence

GHANENGCOY 7 was deployed in Tombouctou, Mali, on 5 February 2019 for a one year tour of duty. The Company has an overwhelming task of providing engineering support to the MINUSMA Units in Tombouctou.