18/05/2023
PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO VISITS GHANAIAN TROOPS IN GUINEA-BISSAU
The President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), His Excellency (HE) President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, accompanied by the host President and C-in-C of the Armed Force of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (FARP), HE General (Gen) Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo have visited the Ghana Company (GHANCOY 1), serving with the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB).
The C-in-C of GAF’s historic visit to the Unit deployed at the Presidential Palace, Bissau, on Monday 15 May 2023 was part of his official 2-day state visit to Guinea-Bissau, at the invitation of President Sissoco Embalo.
The purpose of the C-in-C’s visit to the Ghanaian Contingent, was to meet with ESSMGB-GHANCOY 1 and generally assess first-hand the well-being of the troops and how the Unit has effectively carried out its mission and tasks since insertion into the operational area in June 2022.
The Combat Team Commander (CT Comd) of ESSMGB GHANCOY 1 – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) David Korsah, warmly welcomed the Presidents and expressed his appreciation on behalf of the entire Ghanaian Contingent of ESSMGB.
In his welcome remarks to the President, the CT Comd asserted that the visit was historic and memorable for three reasons. Firstly, it affirms President Nana Akufo-Addo’s strong commitment to constitutional democracy on the continent based on his track record. Secondly, it demonstrates the confidence reposed in GAF hierarchy and personnel by the C-in-C and thirdly, it was the first time a C-in-C has visited GAF troops on an external operation in about 28 years.
Lt Col Korsah further assured President Akufo-Addo that, his Company will continue to wear the Ghana flag with pride, lift the country’s image higher and be worthy ambassadors of the Nation.
President Akufo-Addo commended the contingent for its discipline and professionalism and assured the unit of his full support. The President made a donation to the contingent at the end of his speech. To crown the President’s visit, he commissioned a newly constructed accommodation and office facility meant to ease the Contingent’s challenge with regards to accommodation. The newly constructed accommodation and office block is named “AMOAMA BLOCK” after the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama for his instrumental role in securing funds for the project. In attendance during the visit were Professor Hamidou Boly, Special Representative of the President of ECOWAS Commission (SRPC), Brigadier General AM Grema, ESSMGB Force Commander and Colonel ATM Kore, Deputy Force Commander.
