The Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Maj Gen Alain Pellegrini, has commended Ghanaian troops for exhibiting professionalism in all their activities in Southern Lebanon. He added that he was highly impressed with the way the Battalion has re-organised themselves after the 34-day war between the Hezbollah and Israel. He said he was aware of the difficulties in having to relocate the Battalion Headquarters from Tibnine to its present location and having the unpleasant duty of relocating it again to a new position.

Maj Gen Pellegrini made these comments when he paid a day’s working visit to Ghanaian Battalion 65 (Ghanbatt 65) troops on Thursday 11 January 2007. On his arrival at Obeng Camp, the new Ghanbatt Headquarters under construction at UN Position 5-66, he was received by the Commanding Officer of Ghanbatt 65, Lt Col EW Kotia. He inspected a special Quarter Guard mounted in his honour. After the inspection, Lt Col Kotia introduced him to some key appointment holders of the Battalion which included the Deputy Commanding Officer, Maj George Ayiku and Officers Commanding the various companies.

Receiving briefing at the new Ghanbatt Headquarters, the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Kotia, informed the Force Commander that he was very grateful for the support he was receiving from him and especially all the personnel at the UNIFIL Force Headquarters in ensuring that construction works at the new Headquarters moved on smoothly. Lt Col Kotia added that all necessary equipment needed for the construction of Accommodation and Office Units at Obeng Camp have been received and work was on-going. He however requested for additional personnel to assist the Battalion’s engineer personnel to quicken the pace of the work since he expected the whole Headquarters to be relocated there before 1st February, 2007.

After the briefing, the Force Commander received a conducted tour round Obeng Camp, Bravo Company, and the Battalion Mobile Reserve (BMR) camps before visiting the present Battalion Headquarters at UN Position 1-0A located at Al-Matmurah.

At a reception organized in his honour, the Force Commander expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the Ghanaian troops, especially for dominating their Area of Operation with robust day and night patrols. He added that he was not so surprised since he was aware of the professionalism and zeal with which personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces attached to all their duties, and their performance in Lebanon is no exception.

The Commanding Officer of Ghanbatt 65, Lt Col EW Kotia, then presented a plaque and a smock to the FC in his appreciation for the wonderful support he has continually rendered to his Battalion. The Chief of Staff of UNIFIL, Brig Gen Stoltz Phillippe and the Chief of Integrated Services also received presents from the Commanding Officer. Present at the reception was the Ghana Contingent Commander in Lebanon, Lt Col Francis Ogbey.