Accra, July 15, GNA – The 85th Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT 85) of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has successfully taken over command from GHANBATT 84 at a colorful ceremony held at the Battalion Headquarters, Al Qawzah.
In a press statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, Brig Gen Paolo Fabbri, the Sector West Commander, commended Lt Col William Nortey, the outgoing Commanding Officer (CO) of GHANBATT 84 officers and soldiers of the battalion for carrying out their activities with great competence and high sense of duty.
The statement said since 1978, Ghana has been one of the most important Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) in support of the United Nations’ effort in the pursuit of peace, security and stability in South Lebanon.
Brig Gen Fabbri also used the occasion to welcome the in-coming Commanding Officer, Lt Col Fiifi Deegbe and troops of the 85th Ghana Battalion and urged them to continue showing high sense of professionalism throughout the one-year duty tour.
Lt Col William Nii Nortey thanked the Force Commander, Sector Commanders and various stakeholders including the Lebanese Armed Forces, Mayors and Moukhtars for their support and guidance.
Col Ayitey Ayi, the Contingent Commander (CONTICO), said there was so much work to be done and expectations were high.
He called for team work which is key in building ‘espirit-de-corps’ and greater collaboration among troops in order to perform all tasks assigned and entreated all to be professional at all times.
The 85th Ghanaian Battalion with the nucleus being the 64 Infantry Regiment comprises 850 personnel out of which 106 are women.
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