The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has on Tuesday, 8 August 2023 paid a familiarisation visit to Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT 89) serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the Battalion Headquarters in Southern Lebanon.

The visit, which formed part of her first official tour to the region offered her the opportunity to interact with the key appointment holders of the Battalion, and to gain at first-hand, information about the unit’s operations in the peacekeeping theatre.

The Commanding Officer of GHANBATT 89, Lt Col John Yaw Kwarteng briefed the minister on the security situation, the mandate of UNIFIL, as well as the duties and task of GHANBATT. He assured the Minister that his troops would continue to proudly represent Ghana, enhance the country’s image, and serve as worthy ambassadors.

On her part, the Minister conveyed gratitude from the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to the Battalion for their sacrifices and asked them to continue to lift high the flag of Ghana. She commended the Battalion for making Ghana proud with their excellent performance in the peacekeeping theatre while commiserating with the battalion for the demise of WOII Abubakari Ibrahim through a tragic car accident on 28 July 2023. The Minister urged troops to continue to strive for the best and remain relevant in the mission.  

While in Lebanon, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey with her delegation visited two of GHANBATT’s personnel on admission at the St Georges Hospital University Medical Centre (SGHUMC) in Beirut, who were involved in the accident that took the life of WOII Abubakari Ibrahim.  She has paid visits to the caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, Chief of the Defence Staff of Lebanese Armed Forces, Gen Joseph Aoun, Ministers of state amongst many key leaders of the country.