A Contingent of 270 Ghana Formed Police Unit (FPU) Personnel, including 63 women, with the United Nations Missions in South Sudan (UNMISS), were awarded UN medals last Wednesday for their outstanding service in Bentiu, Unity State, South Sudan.
Among other things, the personnel were recognised for their valuable contributions to humanitarian assistance initiatives, protection of civilians and ongoing efforts in strengthening the capacity of local enforcement agencies.
Event
The Deputy Commanding Officer, Chief Superintendent (C/Supt) Rosina Adwoa Donkor Gariba, led the parade, which saw UN Police Commissioner, Dr Kaustubh Sharma; the Bentiu Head of Field Office, Sam Muhumure and a high-powered delegation from Ghana, including Commissioner of Police (COP) Dr Sayibu Pabi Gariba and COP Dr Vance Baba Gariba, in attendance in South Sudan.
Addressing the parade, the Contingent Commander, Chief Supt Bismark Achaab, urged the contingent to carry forward the lessons they had learnt.
She also encouraged them to let their experiences inspire others to serve, to lead by example and to uphold the values of the UN.
Brief history
The formation of the Ghana FPU was part of the police service's reforms to meet modern policing standards and emerging societal needs.
Plans to deploy the FPU to international peacekeeping missions had been on the United Nations' agenda for years, prompting the Police Administration to strengthen efforts in training and equipping the unit under the leadership of the former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Alhassan.
After passing a pre-deployment inspection by the UN Formed
Police Assessment Team (FPAT) in October 2014, the Ghana FPU was certified ready for deployment.
Initial advance team comprising 17 personnel, including two women, departed Ghana on April 7, 2015 and arrived in Juba, South Sudan on April 8, 2015.
The main team of 143 personnel later joined the advance team to be deployed to Bentiu, their mission theatre on August 24, 2015 and that marked the beginning of the participation of Ghana FPU in UNMISS.
In Bentiu, South Sudan, the contingent assumed responsibility for securing the civilian protection site, which sheltered the largest internally displaced persons with population of about 100,000 individuals.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including daily shootings, revenge killings, confrontations with armed groups, and sightings of wild animals, the Unit successfully maintained security and order through coordinated efforts and collaborations with key mission partners.
Leadership
The leadership of the Ghana FPU was instrumental in the Unit’s success.
The first commanding officer, C/Supt Samuel Ackom, demonstrated outstanding courage and decisive leadership that motivated personnel to achieve their mission objectives.
The Unit was awarded its first UN Peace Medal on August 17, 2016, in recognition of having completely met the requirements of eligibility and successfully completing the necessary period of qualifying service as uniformed personnel of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
