Ghana’s soldiers in the ECOWAS mission in The Gambia will be reduced from 208 to 50 men, the Minister for Defence Dominic Nitiwul has announced.
Reporting on the progress of the mission in Parliament on Wednesday, Hon. Nitiwul said the downsizing of Ghana’s troops within the mission is due to the success of the international Community in resolving the political impasse after the defeat of former President Yahya Jammeh in that country’s election.
“In line with the downsizing, Ghana’s troop contribution will be cut to 50 men and the highest officer will remain with the 50 men.
“I can report to this House that our troops have taken advantage of their presence in The Gambia to visit and secure all the Ghanaian people or people of Ghanaian descent. The Ghanaian community in The Gambia are well secured and safe.
“Ghana’s deployment has been successful because of government’s prompt decision and approval of the financial support that the troops needed. It is envisaged that 158 men will be arriving on the 20th and 21st, leaving 50 men in The Gambia.”
Ghana contributed a total of 208 elite soldiers to the ECOWAS mission with a mandate to keep the peace in the Gambia in the midst of that country’s political turmoil.
