Ghana’s Ambassador to Mali, Napoleon Abdulai on Thursday 4 August 2022, paid a 4-day working visit to the Ghana Engineer Company serving with Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) in Timbuktu, Mali.

The Ambassador was received at the Timbuktu Airport by the Officer Commanding (OC) Ghana Engineer Company 10, Lt Col Edward Kofi Poku.

Mr Napolean Abdulai indicated that his visit was aimed at assessing how troops are faring and also to have firsthand information on the operations of the Ghanaian contingent in Timbuktu.

He further indicated that the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Armed Forces has already initiated the necessary steps towards procuring new equipment and logistics for the Ghana Engineer Company.

Mr Abdulai further took the opportunity to thank the contingent members for their patience and professionalism despite ongoing rotation challenges in MINUSMA. He indicated that efforts were far advanced to secure the start of the rotation through good cooperation with the Malian Government and all stakeholders.

The Ambassador, in the company of the Consul of the Ghana Embassy in Bamako also paid courtesy calls on the Mission leadership within the Sector during his visit.

He called on the MINUSMA Head of Office of the Region, Mr. Mamane Moussa, and also visited the Sector Headquarters where he paid a courtesy call on the Sector West Commander, Brigadier General Joel Biwanlo, and finally met with the Regional Administrative Officer (RAO) Madam Susan Asomaning. 

Madam Susan Asomaning in an interaction with the Ambassador highly commended the Ghanaian contingent for being well-trained, professional, and on top of their job despite numerous logistical challenges of the mission.

She used the opportunity to appeal to the government of Ghana through the Ambassador to continue the ongoing efforts to upgrade the equipment and logistics deployed in the mission.

The Sector West Commander, Brigadier General Joel Biwanlo, thanked the Ambassador for his visit and indicated that the Ghana Contingent is indeed the major supporting unit within the Sector.

He commended the Company for high standards and dedication regardless of the situation within the mission.

The visit of the Ambassador also included a durbar with All Ranks of the Engineer Company and interactions with the Ghanaian community within the Sector.