The 4th day of September 2015 marked the day of presentation of medals to the gallant Peacekeeping troops of the Ghanaian Contingent serving in La Côte d’Ivoire. The day saw the Ghanaian troops being presented with United Nations mission accomplishment medals by Her Excellency Madam Aichatou Mindaoudou Souleymane, the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) in La Côte d’Ivoire.

In her speech, she commended the Officers, Men and Women of the Ghanaian Contingent serving with the United Nations Operations in La Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) for their immense sense of professionalism and dedication exhibited in their assigned tasks. She stressed on the contribution that the Ghana Aviation Unit adds to the UNOCI community: the provision of helicopter transport services.

A special delegation was sent from Ghana to witness this mission accomplishment parade. The delegation was led by the Defence Attaché in La Côte d’Ivoire, Commodore Isaac Osei-Kuffour. He was accompanied by Group Captain Godfred Parker (the Officer commanding the Flying Wing of Air Force Base, Accra) and Wing Commander Adzo Jiagge (the Deputy Director Air Force Peace Support Operations).
The leader of the Medal Day delegation, Commodore Isaac Osei-Kuffour was full of praise for the contingent. He applauded the hard work and dedication exhibited by the Officers, Men and Women of the Aviation Unit, the Military Staff Officers as well as the Military Observers.

In a special interview granted by the Commanding Officer of the Ghana Aviation Unit, Group Captain Joshua Mensah Larkai, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the SRSG and the UNOCI community for assisting the Unit in diverse ways. He stated that the laurels the Unit has chalked would not have been possible without the assistance of the Ghana Government and the Military High Command. He further thanked the Préfet and the people of Bouaké for their unending support. He also extended appreciation to the Ghanaian community in Bouake.

The ceremony, which was held at the Camp of the Ghana Aviation Unit in Boauké was well attended by the UN High Command, other Peace Keeping Units, the Préfet and people of Bouake, Ghanaian community living in Bouake and friends of the Ghanaian contingent in La Cote d’Ivoire.

Capt Oboh Linda
Reporter