Ghana marks International Day of UN Peacekeepers
The government affirmed the country’s commitment to the United Nations’ (UN’s) peace-keeping operations when it joined other member states of the world body to mark the 2016 International Day of UN Peacekeepers yesterday.
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The day was marked with a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony in Accra and had the theme,” Honouring our heroes.” The annual celebration, observed every May 29, is aimed at paying tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in UN peacekeeping operations for their high professionalism, dedication and courage.
It is also meant to honour those who have lost their lives in the course of peace-keeping operations worldwide.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Nii Osah Mills, made the affirmation on behalf of the government and Ghanaians.
One fallen Ghanaian peacekeeper and 128 others were honoured posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal in New York at a solemn ceremony to mark the International Day of UN last Thursday.
Tenth largest contributor
Ghana is currently ranked the 10th largest contributor of uniformed men and women to UN peace-keeping operations.
Nii Mills said Ghana was proud of its contributions to maintaining and ensuring peace in other parts of the world. He, therefore, commended the uniformed men and women who continued to uphold the flag of Ghana with their roles in UN peace-keeping operations and their high professionalism that had been recognised and appreciated by the UN leadership and member states.
“However, our successes are not without losses. Ghana has lost over 100 uniformed men and women in these operations since 1960. I express the government’s condolences and gratitude to the bereaved families,” he added.
Notwithstanding the losses incurred by the country, he said, Ghana would continue to be a pillar to rely on in terms of providing security personnel for UN peace-keeping operations.
Nii Mills indicated that Ghana’s contribution to UN peace-keeping operations had impacted on the maintenance of peace and security locally due to the experience it had gained.
UN Secretary-General
In a statement read on his behalf, the Secretary-General of the UN, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, commended all member states that had contributed to UN operations over the years and called for concerted efforts by member states to end sexual exploitation and abuse by the international forces deployed to troubled areas.
“I have been unrelenting in my call for a focus on the victims and I am being proactive in addressing the problem at every given opportunity,” he indicated.
The UN chief called on member states, which solely had the power to discipline their forces, to impose severe sanctions that were seen as just on them and bring healing to the affected communities.
Mr Ban added that the UN would continue to create an enabling environment for international forces to contribute to international peace and stability.