Baidoa, 9 April 2025 – The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) has awarded medals to 160 officers from the Ghana Formed Police Unit (GFPU) for their contribution to Somalia’s peace and security.
The medal parade for the 4th Contingent of the GFPU took place on Tuesday at a ceremony officiated by AUSSOM Police Commissioner, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Hillary Sao Kanu in Baidoa, South West State.
“Today’s medal parade is a significant occasion that recognises the contributions, professionalism and resilience demonstrated by the Ghana Formed Police Unit Contingent,” said AIGP Kanu during the event.
AIGP Kanu lauded Ghana for its commitment to international peacekeeping efforts and praised the collaboration between the Ghana FPU, AUSSOM troops, UN, South West State, and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS).
“Throughout your deployment, you exhibited exemplary discipline and courage while operating in a complex and challenging environment. You played a pivotal role in securing key installations, providing escorts for humanitarian services and government officials, protecting vulnerable communities and building capacity for the Somali Police Force,” she added.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), who represented the Inspector General of the Ghana Police, Desmund Boampong, commended the contingent for bringing honour to Ghana, noting that their contributions exemplified Ghana’s commitment to global peace and security.
“This occasion is a moment to reflect on the sacrifice, unity, and professionalism that define the service of our gallant officers,” said DCOP Boampong.
The Ghana FPU Contingent Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Benjamin Dokurugu, thanked the officers for effectively executing their duties during their one-year tour of duty. In addition to Baidoa, Ghana FPU personnel are also deployed to Beletweyne, in the Hirshabelle State. He also thanked the leadership of the Mission and the UN for various training programmes for the contingent including Information Communication Technology, Human Rights, Gender, and Women, Peace, and Security (WPS).
AIGP Kanu lauded Ghana for its commitment to international peacekeeping efforts and praised the collaboration between the Ghana FPU, AUSSOM troops, UN, South West State, and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS).
“Throughout your deployment, you exhibited exemplary discipline and courage while operating in a complex and challenging environment. You played a pivotal role in securing key installations, providing escorts for humanitarian services and government officials, protecting vulnerable communities and building capacity for the Somali Police Force,” she added.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), who represented the Inspector General of the Ghana Police, Desmund Boampong, commended the contingent for bringing honour to Ghana, noting that their contributions exemplified Ghana’s commitment to global peace and security.
“This occasion is a moment to reflect on the sacrifice, unity, and professionalism that define the service of our gallant officers,” said DCOP Boampong.
The Ghana FPU Contingent Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Benjamin Dokurugu, thanked the officers for effectively executing their duties during their one-year tour of duty. In addition to Baidoa, Ghana FPU personnel are also deployed to Beletweyne, in the Hirshabelle State. He also thanked the leadership of the Mission and the UN for various training programmes for the contingent including Information Communication Technology, Human Rights, Gender, and Women, Peace, and Security (WPS).
“We conducted operations, we protected and escorted UN staff and humanitarian workers to their project sites within the sector. We also provided armed escorts to Individual Police Officers mentoring the Somali Police Force. We accomplished all these with surgical precision and great success,” CSP Dokurugu said.
The AUSSOM Ethiopian Contingent Commander, Brig. Gen. Besfat Fente, congratulated the Ghanian police officers on successfully completing their tour of duty with dignity and discipline.
The ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including the South West State Minister for Security Hassan Abdiqadir, top AUSSOM Police officers and other senior UN and South West State officials.
