Mogadishu, 7 March 2025 – Ghanaian military and police personnel serving with the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) celebrated their country’s 68th independence anniversary on Thursday in a colourful ceremony in Mogadishu.
Ghana made history on 6 March 1957 when it became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from British colonial rule igniting liberation movements throughout the continent. This year’s anniversary was commemorated on the theme, “Reflect, Review and Reset”.
The Force Commander for AUSSOM, Lieutenant General Sam Kavuma, who chaired the celebrations, praised Ghana’s significant contributions to peace and security in Africa and globally.
“Your commitment to governance, security reforms and logistics support is a vital component of the broader stabilisation process, whether in uniform or civilian roles,” said Lt. Gen. Kavuma, who also hailed Ghana’s significant progress in consolidating democracy through free and fair elections, peaceful power transitions, and economic development.
The Police Commissioner for AUSSOM, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIGP) Hillary Sao Kanu, praised Ghanaian peacekeepers for the exceptional service and professionalism in supporting Somalia’s stabilisation efforts through the AUSSOM predecessor missions, AMISOM and ATMIS.
“Ghana police officers have played critical roles in stabilising conflict zones, training local police officers and protecting vulnerable communities. In Somalia, Ghanaian police officers have demonstrated exemplary performance, hard work and professionalism, maintaining discipline and team spirit,” said AIGP Kanu.
The Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to Somalia, Raisedon Zenenga, highlighted Ghana’s contribution to global peace and UN leadership, drawing inspiration from the remarkable legacy of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan.
“Ghana’s contribution to peace and stability has also been evident through its significant deployment of troops, Formed Police Units, IPOs, staff officers and civilian personnel in peacekeeping operations in Cote D’Ivoire, DR Congo, Republic of Congo Lebanon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan and here in Somalia,” added Zenenga.
The ceremony, featuring traditional dance performances by AUSSOM Ghana police personnel and a documentary showcasing Ghana’s independence journey, was attended by several senior AUSSOM and UN officials including the Director of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Qurat Ul-Ain Sadozai; Deputy Police Commissioner for AUSSOM, Martin Amoru; the military Chief of Staff for AUSSOM, Brigadier General Kindu Gezu; and head of the Ghanaian community in Somalia, Dr. Seth Appiah Mensah.
