Accra, May 30, GNA - As the world community marks the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers and the 60th anniversary of UN peacekeeping on Thursday, demands for the deployment of blue helmets is at an all-time high, reflecting confidence in UN peacekeeping. There are currently more than 110,000 peacekeepers from 120 countries serving in 19 operations on four continents - already a record - with additional deployments on the horizon.

"In the past year, I have visited peacekeepers in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean. I have seen refugees retuning home, children heading back to school, citizens once again secure under the rule of law," said Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General, in a message to commemorate the Day.

"I have seen whole societies moving, with the help of the peacekeepers, from devastation to rejuvenation. In Haiti, in Liberia, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo the blue helmets have provided breathing space for fragile peace to take hold. "This anniversary is an occasion to celebrate, but also to mourn our fallen colleagues. Over these six decades, more than 2,400 and men and women have died serving the cause of peace.

"Today, we recommit ourselves to ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten, and the vital work of the blue helmets continues as they are needed," said Mr Ban.

In a solemn flag-raising and wreath laying ceremony at the Independence Square in Accra to mark the Day, Defence Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah acknowledged that peacekeepers the world over had offered the "ultimate sacrifice" for peace and security and for the protection of human rights and individual dignity.

Ghana, he said, remained committed to contributing troops "no matter how meagre", to the UN peacekeeping efforts, when called upon to do so. The Minister noted that much as the global efforts at peacekeeping were laudable, the main thrust now should be for the international community to find new and innovative means of removing the causes of conflicts.

"Most critically therefore the world cannot afford to renege on its individual, collective and concerted efforts to wage war on poverty, abuse of human rights, ethnic and religious intolerance, bad governance and the present unfair economic order.

"For until we evolve an order that ensures equity for all and frowns on individuals and powers that rely on the tragedies of weaker nations and people for their strength and opulence, the UN would continue to incur ever-increasing peacekeeping bills," Mr Kan-Dapaah noted.

He urged all "responsible" states to support the UN finance the peacekeeping budget to mitigate the suffering of the poor and vulnerable, who bear the brunt of conflict.

"When conflicts become inevitable, the world must maintain a capacity and willingness to react swiftly and honestly in order to continue to demonstrate collective commitment to the ideals enshrined in the UN Charter".

The Minister paid glowing tribute to Ghanaian peacekeepers - living and dead - who have been successful because of their level of professionalism and their possession of the attitude and expertise for peacekeeping "which are unparalleled".

"The best honour we can do these heroes is to challenge ourselves to affirm undertaking that as individuals, groups or nations, we will strive at all times to uphold the simple virtues of freedom and justice, peaceful co-existence, tolerance and mutual respect for all humanity, regardless of race, colour, creed, sex or ethnicity." Wreaths were laid to pay tribute to and honour UN Peacekeepers. Eighty-seven of them, including four Ghanaians, died last year in the service of peace.

Of the more than 100 countries that provide uniformed peacekeepers to the UN, the largest contributors remain Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, which together provide more than 35 per cent of all blue berets.

The cost of financing peacekeeping operations - more than $5 billion per year - is borne mainly by European Union countries, Japan and the United States.

UN Peacekeepers Day was established in 2002 by a General Assembly resolution designating 29 May - the date in 1948 when the first United Nations peacekeeping mission, the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), began operations in Palestine - to pay tribute to all men and women who have served and continue to serve in peacekeeping operations, for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause for peace.