Ghanaian Peacekeepers Honoured as UN Marks Int’l Day of Peacekeepers
The United Nations has marked the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers with a solemn ceremony at its headquarters, honouring the service and sacrifices of personnel deployed across conflict zones globally. Among those recognised were two fallen Ghanaian peacekeepers, as well as a female Ghanaian officer who received one of the UN’s top gender advocacy honours.
The commemoration, held under the theme “The Future of Peacekeeping,” paid tribute to the more than 4,400 UN peacekeepers who have died in the line of duty since 1948. This year, 57 military, police, and civilian personnel who died while serving under the UN flag in 2024 were posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal.
Among them were Sergeant Evans Kyere and Warrant Officer II David Kwame Amankwah, both from Ghana, who served with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Their names were read out at the ceremony, as Secretary-General António Guterres laid a wreath in their memory.
In a moment of national pride, Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme of Ghana was named the 2024 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year, while Superintendent Zainab Gbla of Sierra Leone received the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year Award. Both women currently serve with UNISFA, highlighting the increasing visibility and contributions of women in peacekeeping roles.
Ghana remains a key player in global peacekeeping, currently ranking as the 7th largest contributor of uniformed personnel. Over 2,600 Ghanaian military and police officers are deployed in missions across Abyei, South Sudan, Somalia, Cyprus, the Central African Republic, Lebanon, Yemen, and other conflict-affected regions.
Speaking on the future of peacekeeping, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for the global community to modernize and support peace operations in a fast-changing geopolitical landscape.
“Today, we honour their service. We draw inspiration from their resilience, dedication and courage. And we remember all the brave women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace,” he said. “We will never forget them – and we will carry their work forward.”
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, echoed the sentiment, calling for increased investment in peacekeeping and greater adaptation to evolving security challenges.
The annual Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 2002 to recognise the service of men and women in peacekeeping and to remember those who died serving under the UN flag. Since the first deployment in 1948 to supervise the Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements, more than two million peacekeepers have served in 71 missions worldwide.
This year’s theme, “The Future of Peacekeeping,” builds on the Pact for the Future adopted in 2024 by Member States, which calls for a more robust and responsive peacekeeping system in an increasingly complex global environment. The call to action comes as the UN confronts emerging threats and greater operational demands across fragile regions.
As the international community pauses to reflect, Ghana’s contributions—both in sacrifice and leadership—serve as a reminder of the country’s enduring commitment to global peace and security.
