The President and Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has visited The Gambia, and paid a courtesy call on personnel of Ghana Company 8 (GHANCOY 8) deployed with ECOMIG at Barra in the North Bank Region.

He inspected an Honour Guard on arrival at Barra Camp, the base of the Ghanaian Company. He also met Key Appointments of the Company, the Governor of the North Bank Region and other local leaders.

The Officer Commanding (OC) of the Company, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Abraham Puoriyelle Dery briefed the President on operational state of the contingent after which he interacted with personnel of GHANCOY 8.

President Akufo-Addo stated the strong connection he has with the Ghanaian contingents of ECOMIG since the deployment was his first major decision as the C-in-C and was keen on how the Company fared with the Mission.

He commended the GHANCOY 8 personnel for their conduct, highlighting that everybody he had spoken to was full of praise for Ghanaian troops. For him, GHANCOY troops were ambassadors of Ghana and that, their conduct portrayed the nature of Ghanaians as a whole.

He extended His Excellency Presdient Adama Barrow’s commendation to the contingent, stating his high praise especially on the occasions that GHANCOY personnel provided escort for him on official duty. “It was a source of pride”, he stated.

The C-In-C assured troops that their concerns would be resolved to facilitate the Company’s operations.

He also assured the troops that he would ensure a free and fair General Elections in Ghana, noting that whoever elected as President would continue to serve in the best interest of Ghana.

The C-in-C presented monetary token of his appreciation to the Company for their professionalism and good conduct. Receiving the donation on behalf of GHANCOY 8, Lt Col AP Dery expressed gratitude on behalf of the Company to President Akufo-Addo for his thoughtful gesture and presented a plaque to him on behalf of the Company.