President John Dramani Mahama has praised the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for their exemplary contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations, describing the military as a source of national pride and global respect.
The President, who is Commander-in-Chief of the GAF, made the remarks on Friday at the 2025 West African Soldiers Social Activity (WASSA) held at the Armed Forces Headquarters, Burma Camp, in Accra. The annual event brings together personnel of the security services to foster camaraderie and mutual appreciation.
President Mahama acknowledged, however, that financial and logistical challenges confronting the United Nations have led to significant reductions in peacekeeping missions worldwide, with direct implications for Ghana’s deployments.
He said he had been briefed that 247 Ghanaian personnel deployed to southern Lebanon were repatriated just two months after deployment, while 217 troops scheduled for South Sudan were stood down after completing pre-deployment training. An additional 77 personnel, he added, are expected to be repatriated from South Sudan later this month.
The President disclosed that the Military High Command is conducting a strategic review of all UN peacekeeping postings involving the GAF in response to the evolving situation.
Ghana has consistently ranked among the top 10 troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions. Since 1960, more than 100,000 Ghanaian military personnel have served in over 35 missions worldwide, earning international commendation for their professionalism, discipline and courage in support of global peace and stability.