Buchanan, Grand Bassa County - The UN Envoy in Liberia, Ms. Ellen Margrethe Løj, has awarded United Nations peacekeeping medals to Ghanaian soldiers serving in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) during a colorful ceremony at the contingent’s headquarters in Buchanan. SRSG Løj acknowledged, with appreciation, the critical role that Ghanaian peacekeepers played in Liberia at various stages of the 14-year civil conflict. “Many Ghanaians made the ultimate sacrifice for peace in Liberia. And, on an occasion like this one, we acknowledge this immense contribution for the peace enjoyed by Liberians today. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.” The current deployment of over 700 members of the Ghanaian contingent in Liberia is just one in a number of ongoing deployments of Ghanaian peacekeepers worldwide. The Ghanaian contingent has security responsibilities for the areas around Liberia’s second largest commercial port-city, Buchanan, where there are significant economic interests, including the large rubber plantation run by the Liberia Agricultural Company, LAC, and the burgeoning iron ore sector led by Mittal Steel. SRSG Løj urged the Ghanaian contingent to continue supporting Liberia’s law enforcement officials in the area under their responsibility. “We must work hard in a concerted manner to implement measures to give people a sense of security and restore their confidence in Liberia’s rule of law institutions.” During her speech at the ceremony, Ms. Løj said "hough a lot of progress has been made in post-war Liberia, there are emerging problems that require the coordinated efforts of every member of society to overcome.” The SRSG specifically identified armed robbery and rape as some of the law and order problems requiring effective solutions. “Many of these problems require an innovative and multi-dimensional approach for solutions,” Ms. Løj added. She called for “the support of community leaders and elders to help win back their streets and communities from criminals,” adding “UNMIL, the Government and the community working together can make a difference”. Congratulating the awardees, Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, who is leading a delegation from Ghana to Liberia, said that the achievements and the accolades were well deserved and that they had made Ghana’s Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence very proud. “You have contributed in a very significant way to the rebuilding of the country with long ties of friendship with Ghana,” he said. Present at the ceremony were senior UNMIL and county leaders and officials, including the Deputy SRSG for Rule of Law, Ms. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Ghana’s Ambassador to Liberia, Maj.-Gen. (Rtd.) Francis Adu-Amanfoh, the new Deputy Force Commander, who is the Acting Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Carl Setorwu Modey, the Military Chief of Staff, Brig.-Gen. Emmanuel Quist, the Grand Bassa County Superintendent, Ms. Julia Duncan-Cassell, and Sector Commanders. Source: UNIC Office, Accra.