Accra, 26 Nov, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills, on behalf of Government and people of Ghana, extended condolences to the family of the late Major (RTD) Lawrence Mefful, who was part of a team dispatched to Afghanistan under UN command.

The army officer was in Afghanistan to support the country's elections to provide the citizens the opportunity to shape their destiny.

A statement signed by Mr John H.M Newman and made available to GNA, said that the late Major Mefful met his untimely death while defending civilians and his UN colleagues in Kabul, Afghanistan.

"Armed only with pistols, against Taliban forces who wielded automati=c , grenades and wearing suicide vests, the late Major Mefful, toget= her with a few colleagues, held the Taliban forces to a gun battle, long enou= gh for other UN soldiers to escape, saving many civilian lives. Unfortunatel= y Major Mefful was shot and killed in the gun battle," it explained. The statement said Government and people of Ghana recognized Major Mefful's heroic act adding that he was brave and selfless to the very end= , paying the ultimate price for saving his colleagues and civilians. It said: "The Government and people of Ghana are particularly proud that the UN has recognized Major Mefful and his colleagues for not only serving in the capacity in which they did as peacemakers, but also as fitting ambassadors of their respective countries."

The statement said the tragedy in Afghanistan was another painful reminder of how Ghanaian soldiers and some countrymen and women worked in=

difficult and dangerous environments to promote the wellbeing of those wh= o were most in need.