The United Nations has awarded its peace Medals to serving personnel of the Ghana Contingent serving with the United Nations Operations in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) for their contribution to the peace process in the country. A citation before the presentation of the Medals read “In recognition of having completely met the requirement of eligibility and having completed the necessary period of qualifying service as military members of the United Nations Operations in La Cote d’Ivoire, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has awarded the United Nations Medals to serving personnel of the Ghana Contingent” At a colourful and splendid military parade by the Ghana Contingent at their Headquarters in Bondoukou, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr Georg Charpentier who was the reviewing Officer praised the Ghanaian troops for their professionalism and support of the peace process. He mentioned the logistic and security support the contingent continues to render to the Independent Electoral Commission towards a free and fair elections scheduled to be held later in the year. Mr Charpentier expressed the United Nations appreciation to the government of Ghana for its support towards the restoration of total peace to Cote d’Ivoire. Ghana was one of the first countries to provide troops when the conflict broke out. A high powered delegation representing the Ghana government and the Ghana Armed Forces was in the country to witness the ceremony. It was led by Air Commodore IS Kadri who is the Chief Staff Officer at the Air Force Headquarters. In his address at a reception organised after the parade, Air Commodore IS Kadri extended the appreciation of the entire Ghanaians in general and the Ghana Armed Forces in particular to the personnel of the Ghana Contingent. He assured of the government of Ghana’s continued support to the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire. The Ghanaian troops were deployed in the country after the conflict broke out and has so far deployed ten battalions, Staff Officers and Military Observers. Ghana also has an Aviation unit and a Level II hospital as part of it’s contribution to Cote d’Ivoire. The current contingent is under the command of Col Dela Sakyi. Also present at the ceremony was the new Deputy Force Commander of UNOCI, Brig-Gen B.F. Kusi who is also a Ghanaian. Source: GHP/Lt (GN) Andy La-Anyane Press Information Officer UNOCI Ghanbatt 10