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Ghana: The Ghanaian contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), including the length of tour of duty in Lebanon and where it is stationed while in Ghana (1997-April 2004)

According to the United Nations (2004) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) (n.d.), Ghana has maintained a presence within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since March 1978. In 1994, Ghanaian troops accounted for 788 out of a total of 5,187 troops from nine countries (George Mason University 30 Nov. 1994). According to a 21 February 2002 Accra Mail article, the headquarters of the Ghanaian battalion also known as "UNIFIL GHANBATT 55," was in Tibnine in South Lebanon.

During a 28 April 2004 telephone interview, the Minister-Counsellor of the High Commission for the Republic of Ghana in Ottawa stated that those who serve with UNIFIL do not all come from the same area of Ghana. He explained that they are selected from separate units of the army and from several departments around the country (Ghanaian High Commission 28 Apr. 2004). The Minister-Counsellor also stated that the length of tour of duty for Ghanaian troops with UNIFIL is about six months to one year (ibid.).

Reporting on the death of Sergeant Amponsah, a Ghanaian soldier who died on duty while he was serving with the UNIFIL, Ghanaian Chronicle indicated that his mother unit was the Pay Office at Burma Camp (26 Feb. 2004). The Burma Camp is based in Accra (AI 2001).

Referring to the period between March 1978 and 15 October 1996, one report explained that troop rotations took place at least every nine months but ideally every six months (ISS n.d.). As of October 1996, Ghana had provided 34 armed forces contingents for UNIFIL (ISS n.d.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Amnesty International (AI). 2001. Annual Report. "Ghana." <http://web.amnesty.org/web/ar2001.nsf/webafrcountries/GHANA?OpenDocument> [Accessed 26 Apr. 2004]

Accra Mail. 21 February 2002. "Peacekeepers in Lebanon Receive UN Peace Medals." (AllAfrica.com). <http://allafrica.com/stories/200202200817.html> [Accessed 14 Apr. 2004]

George Mason University [Virginia]. 30 November 2004. "United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon." <http://www.gmu.edu/departments/t-po/resource-bk/mission/unifil.html> [Accessed 26 Apr. 2004]

Ghanaian Chronicle [Accra]. 26 February 2004. "Ghanaian Soldier Dies in Lebanon." <http://allafrica.com/stories/200402260440.html> [Accessed 14 Apr. 2004]

High Commission for the Republic of Ghana, Ottawa. 28 April 2004. Telephone interview with the Minister-Counsellor.

Institute for Security Studies (ISS). n.d. Appendix D: Training for Peace Operations as Conducted in Ghana." African Capabilities for Training for Peace Operation. " <http://www.iss.co.za/Pubs/Other/AfricaCapab/Contents.html> [Accessed 28 Apr. 2004] [Accessed 28 Apr. 2004]

United Nations. 2004. "Lebanon-UNIFIL-Facts and Figures." <http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/facts.html> [Accessed 27 Apr. 2004]

Additional Sources Consulted

Publications: Africa Confidential, Africa Research Bulletin, Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent, Resource Centre country file, West Africa.

Websites, including: AllAfrica, European Country of Origin Information Network, Human Rights Watch (HRW), ReliefWeb, United Nations, War Resisters' International.