Accra, Aug. 3, GNA - The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretar= y General (DSRSG) of the United Nations Mission in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Arnauld Antoine Akodj=E8nou, has commended Ghanaian troops(GHANCON) in Cote d'Ivoire for the invaluable contribution towards the quest for peace in t= hat country. He said the contingent's performance epitomized the standard of Ghanaian soldiers noted for their professionalism, precision and dedication to duty.

A statement issued by GHANCON in Accra on Wednesday copied to GNA said Mr Akodjenou made these commendations at the Medals Presentation Parade for personnel of GHANCON on Friday, July 29, at the Ghanaian Battalion (GHANBATT) 14 Headquarters in Bondoukou, Cote d'Ivoire. Nine officers, 72 men and women drawn from the three units comprising GHANCON, made up of Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT 14), Ghana Aviation (GHAV 10) and Ghana Medical (GHANMED 7)- participated in the parade. Mr Akodjenou who reviewed the parade, commended GHANBATT 14 for their humanitarian work and sensitisation programmes through well organised Peace Caravans to reach out to local communities in the Zanzan Region which had endeared the local populace to the Battalion.

He commended the Commanding Officer of GHANBATT 14, Lieutenant Colonel William Dagbe for his exemplary leadership qualities that had led to the success of the Battalion.

In addition, Mr Akodjenou expressed appreciation to the Ghanaian Contingent Commander, Brigadier General Benjamin Freeman Kusi for his guidance and support for the contingent. He praised GHAMED 7 under the command of Colonel Mohamed Alhassan for their diverse contribution in the mission, as well as GHAV 10, under the command of Wing Commander Joshua Mensah-Larkai for their tremendous contribution in the movement of both military and civilian personnel across the length and breadth of the country

The Ghana Level II Hospital based in Bouake, treated not only UNOCI personnel, but undertake Medical Outreach Programmes. A Ghanaian government delegation led by Rear Admiral Mohamed Munir Tahiru, Commandant Military Academy and Training Schools, Teshie attended the ceremony. Other members of the delegation included Naval Captain Samuel Wiredu Anim, Liaison Officer at the Ministry of Defence, Colonel Joe Franklove Man= u from the Directorate of Logistics of the General Headquarters, Group Captai= n Augustine Alfred Appiah, Officer Commanding, School of Trade Training, Airforce Base, Accra, Major Rex Kudjoe Adzagba, 37 Military Hospital and Sub-Lieutenant Abu Zakariah.

The rest were; Brigadier-General Fida Hussain Malik, UNOCI Sector East Commander, Hajia Amina Amadu, Jaman North District Chief Executive, government representatives in the Zanzan Region, Military and Civilian Staf= f from UNOCI Headquarters. The day was set aside by the UN to show its appreciation to the officers, men and women of GHANCON for their dedication to duty towards the overall success of the mission in Cote d'Ivoire. The Medals Day Presentation was crowned with a non-denominational thanksgiving religious service on Sunday, July 31, at the GHABATT 14 Headquarters, Bondoukou.

The statement said leader of the Medals Day delegation, Rear Admiral Tahiru earlier inaugurated a Health and Fitness Centre constructed by personnel of GHANBATT 14 at the Battalion Headquarters in Bondokou. He applauded the battalion for attaching importance to fitness which was pivotal in every military endeavour, urging troops to take their fitnes= s seriously and take good care of the facility. The statement said a Peacekeepers' Memorial in honour of Ghanaian Peacekeepers who died in the quest for peace in La Cote d'Ivoire was unveiled by the Deputy Force Commander (DFC) of UNOCI/ Ghanaian Contingent Commander, Brigadier General B.F. Kusi at GHANBATT 14 Headquarters, Bondoukou on Saturday, July 30.