Troops serving with Ghana Engineering Company Six (Ghaneng Coy 6) have been decorated with the United Nations Peacekeeping Medals at the Supper Camp in Timbuktu in Mali.

The officers were inserted into Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) on 10 January 2018 under the leadership of Lt Col Michael Kwame Afre Mfum.

On parade were two Contingents commanded by Capt Prince Karl Achaab Abanah and Capt Theophilus Thomas Dawson-Amoah with WOI Tetteh Nii Armah and WOII Akisi Patrick as their Supernumeries with Maj Seth Paul Essiaw as the parade commander.

Also on parade were United Nations Colour (Flag) and Ghana with Capt Godfred Ayamba the senior ensign carrying the United Nations Colour whiles Flt Lt Fattal Okpoti Konney the junior ensign carrying that of Ghana.   

WOII Kumah Raphel S/Sgt Commey Lord and S/Sgt Arthur Benjamin were the colour escorts and WOI Osman Briman as the parade Sgt Major with Brig General Stefan Jan Andersson who is the Sector West Commander as the reviewing officer as well as the Guest of Honour.

Sector West Commander, Brig Gen Stefan Jan Andersson addressing troops after the decoration said he was pleased with the outstanding performance with very impressive turn-out on parade.

He said the day was very important because it was a day that the United Nations, through MINUSMA, shows its appreciation to the Ghana Engineering Company 6, for their continuous contribution towards the achievement of MINUSMA’s mandate and peace in Mali.

Brig Gen Andersson also mentioned that, Ghana over the years has contributed troops and resources in pursuit of peace, security and stability in most United Nations Missions.

Notable among them are UNIFIL in Southern Lebanon, UNMIL in Liberia, MONUSCO in Congo, UNAMIR in Rwanda, UNOCI in Cote d’ Ivoire, UNMISS in South Sudan and now MINUSMA in Mali.

He also mentioned that prior to the passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2100 which brought into being MINUSMA, Ghana was among the few countries that contributed troops as part of African-led International Support Mission in Mali – AFISMA.

According to Gen Stefan Andersson, the presence of a high-level delegation representing the Government and the Armed Forces of Ghana confirms the interest that Ghana has for the success of MINUSMA.  For this, MINUSMA continues to be very grateful.

He continued by saying, the mission is satisfied with the performance of Ghana Engineering Company 6 since its insertion as reflected in various spheres in the Sector West Area of Responsibility.

He congratulated them for working tirelessly over the period to provide mobility, counter-mobility, survivability and general engineering support to their counterparts within Sector West where Ghana Engineering Company 6 is deployed.

Some of the specific works done by Ghaneng Coy 6 includes the construction of the Military Staff Officers accommodation, construction of accommodation for civilians and the Burkina Faso contingents, construction of new road from the Super Camp to airport, construction of chain link fencing around the Super Camp, construction of observation posts around the airport and in the Super Camp amongst others.