Ghana Armed Forces Reject Claims of Exploitation of Peacekeepers in Lebanon
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has denied reports that Ghanaian soldiers serving in Lebanon are being treated badly or exploited. The soldiers are part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
Some media reports had claimed that the Ghanaian troops were not allowed to go outside their camp to shop and that they were forced to pay for their own flight tickets when they came home on leave. But the Armed Forces say these claims are not true.
In a statement signed by Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, the Acting Director General of Public Relations, GAF explained that any limits on movement outside the camp are only because of security reasons. According to the military, the area where the soldiers operate is unstable, and their safety is the top priority. The rules are not meant to punish or exploit the troops.
To make sure the soldiers still get what they need, UNIFIL has allowed several shops to operate inside the Ghana Battalion camps. There are now 11 shops run by local Lebanese traders at two Ghanaian camp locations. In addition, there is one Post Exchange shop managed by the battalion itself. This means soldiers have many options to buy food, drinks, and other personal items without leaving the camp.
On the issue of travel, the Armed Forces said clearly that Ghanaian peacekeepers do not pay for their own air tickets when they go on leave to Ghana. Captain Arhin said the Government of Ghana continues to pay for all flight costs for peacekeepers, including those in Lebanon.
GAF also warned that spreading false information can harm the country. According to the military, such stories can affect the morale and discipline of the troops and damage Ghana’s good name in the international community.
The Armed Forces, therefore, called on journalists and media houses to check their facts carefully before publishing stories, especially on issues related to national security and peacekeeping missions.
Ghana has a long history of supporting peace around the world. For many years, the country has sent soldiers to United Nations missions in different parts of the world. Ghana remains one of Africa’s leading contributors to peacekeeping, with troops serving in conflict and post-conflict areas across the globe.
