Brigadier General Ugo Cillo, the UNIFIL Sector West Commander, on behalf of the Force Commander, applauded GHANBATT 83 for the excellent job it was doing - the extraordinary commitment and dedication.  He also cited the support the soldiers had been giving to the local people in their area of operation through various civil-military co-operation activities.

A press statement mailed to the Ghana News Agency by Lieutenant Bernice Boafo, the Public Relations Officer, said on hand to witness the awards ceremony were the Defence Minister, Mr. Dominic Bingab Aduna Nitiwul, the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Obed Boamah Akwa and the General Officer Commanding Southern Command Brigadier General Oppong Peprah.

The Ghanaian contingent has been operating along the “blueline – a very sensitive area within Southern Lebanon” and Brigadier General Cillo, said this was proof of how “prepared the soldiers are for other tasks ahead”.  He indicated that the medals award was meant to show the world body’s gratitude and appreciation to the troops.         

 The Sector West Commander said the presence of the Defence Minister and other members of the delegation “confirms the interest that Ghana has for the success of the mission of UNIFIL”.