Major General Anita Asmah of Ghana has been named the new Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. In January 2025, Major General Asmah is scheduled to formally assume her new position.

Major General Asmah will take over for Lieutenant General Nirmal Kumar Thapa of Nepal, whose term ends in mid-December 2024, according to a statement released by Mr. Guterres' spokesperson.

A Historic Appointment

As the third female commander from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to occupy a senior UN role in recent years, Major General Anita Asmah's appointment represents yet another significant milestone for Ghana. She is also the second military officer from Ghana to hold a high-level position at the UN.

The late Brigadier General Constance Emefa Edjeani-Afenu, the Deputy Force Commander of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), was the first Ghanaian to achieve this distinction. Later, Naval Commodore Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye of the Ghana Navy succeeded Brigadier General Edjeani-Afenu.

A Distinguished Career

To her new position, Major General Asmah offers more than thirty years of operational and leadership expertise. She has shown remarkable skill and commitment while serving in a variety of roles with the Ghanaian Armed Forces and the UN.

Her most recent role was Director General of the Ghana Armed Forces' Department of Defense Civilian Establishment. She worked as UNDOF's Deputy Force Commander from 2021 to 2023, where she learned a great deal about the mission's operations.

As a Staff Officer with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from 2012 to 2013 and again from 2015 to 2016, she has a wealth of peacekeeping expertise. From 2003 to 2004, she also worked with the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) as a Military Observer.

Leadership and Expertise

Among his notable roles in the Ghana Armed Forces are those of Director of Education, Deputy Military Secretary, and Course Director at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center, among others. She has continuously received accolades both domestically and abroad for her leadership and knowledge.

Academic and Linguistic Proficiency

With a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Ghana, Major General Asmah is a highly educated individual. Additionally, she speaks French and English fluently, which helps her communicate in a variety of foreign contexts.

Her wide-ranging experience and dedication to international peace and security are evidence of her appointment. Major General Asmah will contribute a wealth of leadership and expertise to the UN Disengagement Observer Force when she assumes her new position.