Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has praised the first UN African female Force Commander Major General Anita Asmah for her recent appointment.

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Major General Anita Asmah is currently the Head of Mission and Force Commander of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria.

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He celebrated her for her outstanding and phenomenal work at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Germany while delivering a speech.

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According to Mr Ablakwa, her appointment by UN Secretary-General António Guterres is the latest affirmation of the global competence and unquestionable capabilities of the Ghanaian woman.

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"Hearty congratulations to Major General Anita Asmah and all Ghanaian women," he added.

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Following her appointment, Major General Anita Asmah received a well-deserved thunderous applause.

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"It was a really proud moment for Ghana ," the minister said.

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The Foreign Minister also expressed his joy and pride in the 2,431 Ghanaian troops currently on peace operations at various theaters of conflict across the world.

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"Ghana shall continue to be a leading force for peace in this troubled world," the minister stated.

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Profile of Major General Anita Asmah

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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced on 11 December 2024 the appointment of Major General Anita Asmah of Ghana as Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

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Major General Asmah succeeded Lieutenant General Nirmal Kumar Thapa of Nepal.

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Major General Asmah brought to the position 31 years of leadership and command experience in the Ghana Armed Forces and United Nations peacekeeping.

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Most recently, she served as Director General in the Department of Defence Civilian Establishment of the Ghanaian Armed Forces.  Prior to that, Major General Asmah was the Deputy Force Commander of UNDOF (2021-2023).

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She also served as a Staff Officer in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2015-2016 and 2012-2013) and as a Military Observer in the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) (2003-2004).

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Major General Asmah also held numerous other senior-level positions within the Ghanaian Armed Forces, including as Director of Education, Deputy Military Secretary and Course Director at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.

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Major General Asmah holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees from the University of Ghana. She is fluent in English and French.

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