A handing and taking over ceremony has been held to mark the change of command between the outgoing Commanding Officer (CO) United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) GHANBATT 10, Colonel (Col) Prince Tandoh, and Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Dominic Ampomah, CO UNMISS GHANBATT 11.

The ceremony took place at the Headquarters (HQ) of the Ghanaian Battalion (GHANBATT) in Bentiu, South Sudan on Friday, 29 September 2023.

The UNMISS Sector Unity Commander, Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Emmanuel Rugazora, who was the guest of honour for the occasion, commended GHANBATT 10 for exhibiting professionalism during their tour of duty. He welcomed Lt Col Dominic Ampomah and urged GHANBATT 11 to continue the good works done by their predecessors.

The UNMISS Sector West Commander who doubled as the Ghanaian Contingent Commander, Brig Gen Kweku Dankwa Hagan also commended GHANBATT 10 for the commitment and professionalism displayed throughout their tour of duty. He welcomed GHANBATT 11 and urged them to emulate and improve on the good works of UNMISS GHANBATT 10.

The outgoing CO, Col Prince Tandoh attributed the achievements of GHANBATT 10 to the selfless devotion and professionalism of the Officers and Soldiers of the GHANBATT and notable amongst these were the Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) programs such as extensive medical and veterinary outreaches as well as numerous donations to schools, churches and mosques.

The incoming CO, Lt Col Dominic Ampomah assured his predecessor of his intention to continue the good work. He therefore entreated Officers and Soldiers of GHANBATT 11 to be ready and willing, and to display a high level of loyalty, dedication and commitment towards the success and attainment of the mandate of GHANBATT 11.

He also commended the UNMISS Sector Unity Commander and the Acting Head of Field Officer (HoFO) for the cooperation, esprit de corps and good working relations that existed between GHANBATT 10 and the Sector. He however requested that same support be extended to GHANBATT 11 for its successes and the collective success of the Sector in the execution of the mandate of the United Nations (UN) in South Sudan.

He expressed appreciation to the outgoing Commanding Officer for the warm reception, exemplary leadership and for lifting high the image of Ghana in South Sudan.

The ceremony saw the signing of the handing and taking over notes, exchange of Command Baton, handing over of the United Nations (UN) flag to GHANBATT 11 and the hoisting of the flag of GHANBATT 11.