Three hundred and five men and officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, on Friday, returned home by land, via the Ghana-Cote d'Ivoire border, in the Brong-Ahafo Region, after an eight-month peacekeeping duty tour in the embattled country of La Cote d'Ivoire. The troops, UNOCI Ghanbatt 13, was formed under the auspices of the United Nations Mission, as a task force in January 2010, and deployed in the Zanzan Region, as part of UNOCI Sector East, in June last year. They were in La Cote d'Ivoire to maintain security within the UNOCI Area of Responsibility (AOR) and offer the necessary support towards the Presidential Elections in that country. Reviewing a Mission Accomplishment Parade at the Three Battalion (3BN), in Sunyani to formally welcome the troops, Brigadier General Chris K. Ocran, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Northern Command, noted that, whilst the troops were away, the High Command monitored their activities and acknowledged with pride their operational performance in the mission area. Brig. Gen. Ocran commended the officers for maintaining a high standard of discipline, endurance and professionalism, beyond the regulation period of six months of duty tour. He gave the assurance that everything possible was being done to improve on the standard of the Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) in all the missions for optimal operational efficiency and satisfaction. On professional standards, the GOC North Command asked the troops to avail themselves of the lessons they have learnt, during the duty tour and adopt the good practices to enhance their professional standards. Brig. Gen. Ocran reminded the troops of the theme for the 54th Independence Anniversary Celebration - "Discipline and Hard work" saying the two words were required of all citizens to develop positive attitudes for greater achievements. "We in the military have not much problem with the demands of disciplines as it is the bedrock of our Service", he said. "The demand here is total commitment, which is underscored by our determination to success, in spite of challenges; and out willingness to remain focused, undeterred by any detractors thereof", he said. He entreated the troops to show greater commitment in their individual and collective efforts in the performance of their duties, to meet the aspirations of the good people of Ghana. Brig.Gen. Ocran commended Lieutenant-Colonel Atogebakoga Alobawome, Commanding Officer, Ghanabatt 13, and his team for the exemplary leadership, as well as the Unit Regiment Sergeant Major (RSM), for his invaluable role in enforcing discipline and entrenching the true traditions of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). He wished those who might be travelling to their destinations outside Sunyani a safe journey. Earlier in a citation Major General Joseph Nii Adinkrah, Chief of the Army Staff, mentioned among other things, the remarkable achievements of the Unit, including its adoption of a flexible administrative plan to effectively support the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) with vehicles to convey electoral staff and equipment to various Identification or Registration Centres within the framework of UNOCI "Operation Transport". "Your quick response to incidents and demonstrations helped in the maintenance of law and order in your AOR before, during and after the elections". Source: GNA