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The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Ghanaian Battalion 86 (GHANBATT 86) has held a Medal Presentation Parade to decorate personnel with the United Nations Peace Medal in recognition of their contribution towards peace and stability in South Lebanon.

A statement issued by Captain Nathanael Asamoah, Public Information Officer, UNIFIL GHANBATT 86, which was made available to the Ghana News Agency on Friday, said the parade took place on Friday, May 29, at the GHANBATT Headquarters, United Nations Position 5-66 in Al-Qouzah, the same day the International Day of the Peacekeeper was commemorated.

The Sector West Commander, Brigadier General Diego Filippo FULCO, who was the Guest of Honour, commended the Battalion and their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Abass Atuluk, for their commitment to the peace operations with diligence and high professionalism amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

He added that the theme for this year’s International Day of Peacekeepers “Women in Peacekeeping: A key to Peace” was a fitting theme for GHANBATT being the largest contributor of females to UNIFIL whiles urging them to continue to be ambassadors of the strong Ghanaian woman.

The Sector Commander paid tribute to all peacekeepers who have paid the ultimate prize in bringing peace to the world, especially Warrant Officer Class I Ackah Patrick of the GHANBATT who passed on a month earlier whiles serving with UNIFIL.

The ceremony was uniquely organised with less pageantry and under strict social distancing and other preventive protocols in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The Deputy Force Commander of UNIFIL, Brigadier General Irvine Nii-Ayitey Aryeetey, the Mukhtar of Al-Qouzah, Mr Caesar Risk, and Colonel Mohammed Nasser Al Deen of the South Sector of the Lebanese Armed Forces, were in attendance.