The Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Lt Gen. Daniel Ishmael Opande, has lauded Ghanaian troops for laying a sound foundation for peace in Sierra Leone.

A statement issued in Accra said Lt. Gen. Opande was speaking in his office in Mammy Yoko, Freetown, on January 14 to bid Brigadier George Ayi-Bonte, Sector 3 and Ghanaian Contingent Commander Farewell, after the end of his duty tour in Sierra Leone. According to the statement Lt Opande praised Ghanaian troops for their professionalism, dedication and hard work and commended Brigadier Ayi-Bonte, who was also the Commander of UNAMSIL Sector 3, for his exemplary and effective leadership qualities.

Lt.-Gen. Opande said the Ghanaian Sector Headquarters was the most volatile of all the five UNAMSIL Sectors but added that all tasks given to the sector and Ghanbatt were successfully accomplished. The statement said the Force Commander also noted with satisfaction the professionalism in which Ghanbatt 6 relocated from Kenema to the Freetown International Airport in Lungi despite its insufficient logistics.

Brig. Ayi-Bonte said Ghanbatt's continuous stay in Lungi was dependent largely on how troops operated in their new location. He explained that Ghanbatt's relocation to Lungi was through the intervention of the President of Sierra Leone, Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah who specially preferred Ghanbatt to be deployed at the airport area. Lt Col J.B.E. Guyiri Commanding Officer of Ghanbatt 6, said Ghanbatt would work hard to support UNAMSIL's mandate and lift the image of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).