The event was held at the Headquarters of the Ghana Battalion (INCAL Complex) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on March 6, 2018.  A statement signed by Captain Nana Abena Darkoa Dapaah, the Public Information Officer, MONUSCO GHANBATT 14 and copied to the Ghana News Agency, in Accra, said the Guest of Honour for the Ceremony was Brigadier General (Dr) EW Kotia, Commander of MONUSCO Western Sector and Ghana’s Contingent Commander.

The statement said General Kotia, in his address, admonished the GHANBATT troops to remain professional at all times and continue to raise the flag of Ghana high.

He urged the troops to remain worthy ambassadors of Ghana in the DRC.

He also asked them to eschew acts that would bring the name of Ghana into disrepute.

General Kotia reflected on the contributions, struggles and sacrifices made by the forefathers, led by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, towards Ghana’s independence and encouraged all to rekindle the spirit of patriotism and work hard to make Ghana strong and truly independent.

The colourful ceremony, the statement said, was graced by the Ghana’s Ambassador-Designate to the DRC, Mr Joseph Kwaku Antwi.

 Other dignitaries present were the Commanding Officer MONUSCO GHANBATT 14, Lieutenant Colonel BB Pantoah, personnel from other countries serving with MONUSCO, Ghanaians residing in the DRC and friends of GHANBATT in the DRC.

Ghana gained her independence from the British on 6 March 1957 and became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve that feat.

 The theme for this year’s celebration is “Ghana beyond Aid.”