Peacekeepers return to heroes welcome by Air Force Base in Tamale

A total of 43 officers and men comprising seven officers and 36 soldiers strained from the 6th Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) who left Tamale for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on a Peacekeeping Mission have returned home safely.

The Military Aircraft, which was carrying the security personnel touched down at the Air Force Base in Tamale at about 9:30 Sunday morning, December 21, 2018.

The officers were given a rousing welcome amidst dancing and singing from their spouses, relatives and other officers at base.

They (peacekeepers) were later conveyed to their base at the Kamina Barracks Methodist Presbyterian church, where a short victory and commendation church service was held to thank God for bringing them back home safely, and to also motivate them to continue their hard work.

The 43 officers and men, were part of the 416 Ghanaian peacekeepers who were dispatched to DRC on January 13, 2017 for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT) 13, and returned on Saturday, January 20, 2018.

The Commander of the GHANBATT 13, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) William Kwabiah, in his address said they could not have come this far without the guidance and protection of God.

Lt. Col. Kwabiah in a blue hat and a victory rope round his stomach interacting with some of the officers of the unit during their arrival

He described the year as a very challenging one, adding that irrespective of the challenging nature of the exercise, the soldiers gave out their best and never compromised on their mission in the DRC.

“I want to assure you that we have come in full strength to continue the agenda of making sure that we leave the unit a better way than we met it, and we will need the cooperation of all of you,” he said.

Meanwhile, a thanksgiving church service, for the MONUSCO GHANBATT 13 has been scheduled for next Sunday January 28, 2018, where officers and men from the other military camps will also be present to formally welcome them.