By Richard Attenkah
TWO HUNDRED and Thirty Four troops, including 20 Commissioned Officers of UNMIL GHANBATT 21 of the Ghana Armed Forces on Monday departed Ghana for a one-year Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia.
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) GHANBATT 21, under the Command of Lt Col Edward Awaribey, ably deputized by Maj. Sebastian Arhin, together with key appointments formed the first out of three chalks who took-off from Kotoka International Airport for Liberia.
Chalks 2 and 3 are yet to depart Ghana on the 14th and 19th of February respectively, to bring the number to the required 700 troops, including 45 Commissioned Officers.
They are to take over the mantle of Command from UNMIL GHANBATT 20, which is at the tail¬¬¬¬-end of its six-month tour of duty, Commanded by Lt Col IN Paintsil.
The Mission, which is to maintain Peace and Security in Liberia, will face the threat of the deadly Ebola Viral Disease outbreak.
Liberia is one of the three worst-hit countries in West Africa, which has claimed thousands of lives, including two UN personnel. This, however, is not a deterrent to Ghana Armed Forces serving under the Umbrella of the United Nations.
In a telephone interview with the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Navy, Lieutenant Maxwell Fadola: “It is indeed worthy to state that GAF has never recorded any casualty since the outbreak of the EVD in Liberia and Mali, where we currently have troops operating”.
According to him, the achievement has been made possible due to strict adherence to Command Policies and precautionary measures instituted in GHANBATT’s Areas of Responsibility.