The Ghanaian Company serving with the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) has held its first Medal Day Parade at Barra Camp on Wednesday 6 March, 2024.

The occasion which was observed to honour deserving peacekeepers with ECOMIG Peacekeeping Medals after having met the mandatory 90 days of service with the Mission also afforded the troops and the Ghanaian community in The Gambia the opportunity to commemorate Ghana’s 67^th Independence Anniversary.

Twenty-two (22) all ranks were symbolically decorated on behalf of the entire Company by the Reviewing Officer who doubles as Head of Mission and the Resident Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Her Excellency (HE) Miatta Lily French.

Ghana’s Ambassador to Senegal, The Gambia and Cape Verd, HE Mrs Emma Mensah and the Force Commander (FC), Colonel B Toure and the leader of Ghana’s Medal Delegation, Brigadier General KKK Kumi also decorated various appointment and personnel on parade.

Addressing troops, HE French urged the Ghana Contingent and other ECOMIG troops to continue raising the flag of ECOWAS high, emphasizing that peacekeepers commitment to keep peace for others must be non-negotiable.

She further advised troops to continue all their operations to ensure peace, remain neutral, continue to support the Gambia Defence and Security Forces and assist the local population in achieving the Mission’s mandate. She further extended a congratulatory message to troops on the occasion of Ghana’s Independence Anniversary.

Relatedly, the parade dove-tailed into the second part of the occasion - commemoration of Ghana’s Independence Anniversary celebration. The guests were treated to cultural performances of some Ghanaian and Gambian traditional dances. The Company, through some dignitaries, also presented assorted gifts to deserving stakeholders who had so far played pivotal roles in the success story of the Unit. The occasion ended with a pictorial exhibition to showcase the rich and diverse cultures in Ghana.

Dignitaries present at the ceremony were the Political Advisor to the Head of Mission, Representative of the Senegalese Ambassador to The Gambia, Colonel Faye, Mr Claude Condar, The Deputy Governor North Bank Region, Honourable D Samateh, Vice Chancellor of USET, Prof SP Owusu-Ofori, other Professors of Academia, Representatives from the Gambia Defence and Security Forces, Port Authorities personnel, Ghanaian community in The Gambia and locals from the Barra township.