The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Battalion (GHANBATT) at the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), has held a religious parade to induct its Commanding Officer (CO), Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Sebastian Abraham Arhin and also consecrate the colours, following successful rotation and handing/taking over ceremonies.

The ceremony under the theme, “IF THE FOUNDATION BE DESTROYED”, was a joint service held at the GHANBATT Headquarters, Incal Complex – Kinshasa on Sunday, 14th April 2019 and conducted by the GHANBATT 15 Imam, Lieutenant (Lt) AA Sharfudeen Kamany and the Chaplin Reverend Captain (Capt) GK Gustafson-Asamoah.

Ghana’s Ambassador to the DRC, who was the Guest of Honour, His Excellency (HE) Joseph Kwaku Antwi, urged all ranks of GHANBATT 15, to always place God at the center of their affairs, since that is the surest way to succeed.

HE Antwi stated that GHANBATT 15 will succeed in its assigned task and responsibility and would add its name to the prestigious list of GHANBATTs that have made their marks in the area of Peace Support Operations.

The CO, Lt-Col Arhin, in his remarks, assured the Ambassador of his unit’s commitment to sacrifice their interest for the interest of the government of the DRC and for lasting peace in the country.

The Imam charged troops and commanders at various levels, to be led by the desire to seek justice in all their endeavours and to exhibit good conduct and kindness to all, whiles Rev Capt Gustafson-Asamoah, implored leaders – whom he said symbolize the foundation of the battalion – to uphold the tenets of fairness, equity, compassion and justice, in the running of the affairs of the GHANBATT.

In attendance were dignitaries from the mission headquarters, personalities from the Ghana Embassy – DRC, members of the international community.and some friends of the battalion.

It would be recalled that MONUSCO GHANBATT 15 was inserted into the operational theatre on Thursday 21 March 2019 with the mission to support the government of the DRC to reduce threats to civilians by negative forces and increase the capability of the DRC security forces to deal with threats, in order to create the conditions for sustainable peace and secured environment.

Before the battalion would settle down in the mission, it was required to develop troops to Yumbi an area that was faced with communal hostilities causing about some 16000 people to flee to neighbouring countries. GHANBATT was to assist staff of United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) and Civil Affairs to monitor elections which was to be held December 2018 but due to the hostilities was slated to 31 March 2019.

The Force Commander during his visit to GHANBATT spoke highly of GHANBATT performance and charged the battalion to be mindful of the fact that what ever they do would be held accountable to them.