Foreign Affairs Minister, Hackman Owusu Agyeman has defended government's decision to contribute troops to the sub-regional (ECOWAS) monitoring force to Cote d'Ivoire saying the professional capabilities of Ghanaian soldiers are not in doubt. About 247 Ghanaian soldiers will be deployed to Cote d?Ivoire.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Victor Gbeho had argued in Parliament that Ghanaian soldiers would face problems in Cote d'Ivoire due to linguistic limitations. But Mr Owusu-Agyeman said "our soldiers are very experienced and are not being sent there (Cote d'Ivoire) to their slaughter."

"They are in Lebanon, Bosnia, Congo and other places where they went without knowledge of the spoken languages yet they are performing very well."

The Minister, who had briefed Parliament on the political developments in that country said Britain would pick Ghana's peace keeping bill while France and Belgium pay for Senegal and Benin respectively.

He said other European Union members have pledged to support other participating countries. The initial force will comprise contingents from Benin, Ghana, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman said the force would consist of five combat teams, one reserve combat team, two support groups and staff of the force Headquarters. "The strength of the force will be 1,264 with each troop contributing country providing one combat team of 173. In addition, Benin and Togo will jointly provide the sixth combat team while Ghana will provide the Headquarters support company."

Ghana's western neighbour is practically halved after insurgents took control of its northern provinces following a mutiny staged in Abidjan, Bouake and Korhogo on September 19. Scores of people, including former Military Leader General Robert Guei lost their lives. Peace talks between government and rebels have yielded very little results.