The Fourth Ghanaian Company of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB GHANCOY 4) on Friday, 25 July 2025, participated in a farewell parade.

The Fourth Ghanaian Company of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau departs Accra for deployment.

Director of Human Resources at the Department of Personnel Administration, General Headquarters, Colonel John Danso-Ankrah, who doubled as the reviewing officer, entreated the Combat Team Commander of GHANCOY 4, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Keelson Ekow Amoah, and his troops to conduct themselves as worthy ambassadors of Ghana while contributing to regional peace and stability.

Colonel John Danso-Ankrah encouraged GHANCOY 4 personnel to uphold the level of professionalism the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has consistently demonstrated over the years—both at home and on international missions—while performing their duties in Guinea-Bissau.

On Sunday, July 20, the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau, Ghana Company 4, held a farewell religious service and family luncheon at the St. George's Garrison Anglican Church in Burma Camp.

Director of Research and Innovation at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Brigadier General Wellington Attipoe-Dumashie, the Guest of Honour, lauded personnel of GHANCOY 4 for their commitment to promoting international peace and stability. He highlighted their service as a true embodiment of sacrifice, dedication, and professionalism.

Brigadier General Attipoe-Dumashie indicated that the mission ensures a vital contribution to peace, security, and development in the West African sub-region and goes beyond a routine military assignment.

According to him, the determination and compassion of GHANCOY 4 were crucial in supporting efforts to mitigate the complex challenges in promoting peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

He encouraged the troops to view their work as a call to serve humanity and to pursue a better future for the people of Guinea-Bissau and all West Africans.

During the service, the Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Reverend Canon Francis Lokko, encouraged the Combat Team Commander of ESSMGB GHANCOY 4, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Ekow Amoah, and his troops to be productive, dedicated, and serve the country with wisdom. He further entreated them to conduct their duties with a sense of professionalism and devotion while putting God at the centre of all their tasks.

The Combat Team Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Keelson Ekow Amoah, during the family luncheon at the Arakan Officers’ Mess, said the event was to create an environment for Command, troops, and their families to bond ahead of the deployment of the unit. He urged the troops to ensure that all necessary arrangements were made for the welfare of their families as they prepare to embark on the mission.

In November 2024, the Chief G3 Peace Support Operations at the Army Headquarters, Col. Lawrence Brobbey Owusu, held a durbar with the ECOWAS Mission in Gambia, Ghana Company 9 (ECOMIG GHANCOY 9) and the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau, Ghana Company 4 (ESSMGB GHANCOY 4) at the Army Peace Operations Training School (APOTS) in Bundase.

At the durbar, Col. LB Owusu advised all troops of both missions to remain disciplined and comport themselves while they wait to be inserted into their respective missions. He cautioned all to stay away from politics and any form of election-related malpractice as the nation heads for the general elections. He also advised against the use of illicit drugs and cautioned that anybody found culpable would be dropped from the mission and dealt with accordingly.

The Chief of G3 Peace Support Operations further stated that personnel could be repatriated from any mission area on medical, compassionate, administrative, and disciplinary grounds. However, he emphasized that soldiers who would be repatriated on disciplinary grounds would be subjected to a ten-year ban from participating in any peace support mission. He further noted that instructions on flight boarding would be made available for strict compliance of all.

Troops were also given the opportunity to ask questions to clarify all issues. Present at the durbar were the Combat team Commander of ECOMIG GHANCOY 9 Lt Col Samuel Twumasi and GSOI G3 – Peace Support Operations (Logistics) Lt Col Mark Ofori Korankye.

In May 2023, then-President Akufo-Addo paid a visit to Ghanaian troops operating on peacekeeping duty in Guinea-Bissau in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

The former president was accompanied by the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo. Former President Akufo-Addo visited the Ghana Company (GHANCOY 1), which is part of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB).

The visit took place on Monday, May 15, 2023, as part of former President Akufo-Addo's official two-day state visit to Guinea-Bissau, following an invitation from President Embalo. The primary purpose of the visit was for the Commander-in-Chief to meet with the ESSMGB-GHANCOY 1 and personally assess the well-being of the troops and their effectiveness in carrying out their mission since their deployment to the operational area in June 2022.

During the visit, several activities were conducted, including a guard of honour, a parade display by GHANCOY 1, and the mounting of a special Presidential Quarter Guard in honor of President Akufo-Addo.

The president also toured the camp, interacted with Ghanaian troops, and commissioned a project undertaken by GHANCOY. Welcoming the presidents, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) David Korsah, the Combat Team Commander of ESSMGB GHANCOY 1, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the entire Ghanaian Contingent. Lt Col. Korsah described the visit as historic and memorable for three reasons.

Firstly, he highlighted that the visit demonstrated former President Akufo-Addo's unwavering commitment to constitutional democracy in Africa, as evidenced by his track record. Secondly, he added that it showcased the former president's confidence in the GAF hierarchy and personnel.

Lastly, he maintained that it marked the first time in approximately 28 years that a Ghanaian president had visited GAF troops engaged in an external operation.

Lt Col. Korsah assured former President Akufo-Addo that he and his troops would continue to proudly represent Ghana, enhance the country's image, and serve as worthy ambassadors.

Then-President Akufo-Addo, on the other hand, commended the contingent for their discipline and professionalism, assuring them of his full support. At the conclusion of his speech, the former president made a donation to the contingent.

The former president also commissioned a newly constructed accommodation and office building named after the Chief of Defence Staff Seth Amoama "AMOAMA BLOCK" in honor of the Vice Admiral, who played a crucial role in securing funds for the project.

Notable attendees at the visit included Professor Hamidou Boly, Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission (SRPC), Brigadier General AM Grema, ESSMGB Force Commander, and Colonel ATM Kore, Deputy Force Commander.