A photography exhibition was on Monday mounted in Accra to pay tribute to the personnel of the security service who serve as the United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers.
The display was part of the flag- raising and wreath laying ceremony held at the forecourt of the state house in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the UN International Peacekeepers Day.
It was mounted by the Information Services Department (ISD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office.
The photographs showcased the incredible efforts of the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and Ghana Police Service during e UN peacekeeping missions globally.
The collection of images used for the exhibition was from an archive of photographs from the ISD and images sent from the field, where Ghanaians were actively involved in peacekeeping activities.
A highlight of the show was a display of photos from the 1975 peacekeeping activities, where the audience witnessed olden ways of sending mails and communication systems with a horse seen carrying mails ready to be delivered.
It was a sharp contrast with the evolution of technology as officers could now make video calls to their loved ones while on a peacekeeping mission anywhere in the world.
The exhibition was an eye-opener, as it gave patrons a glimpse into the reality and gravity of peacekeeping duties and the selflessness and dedication of the men and women who sacrifice their lives to protect humanity.
In what could be described as a symbol of the gratitude Ghanaians have for UN Peacekeepers, the exhibition attracted government officials, members of the diplomatic community and students from selected schools.
May 29 is set aside to pay tribute to the uniformed and civilian peacekeepers and to honour about 4,200 of their colleagues who have died serving under the UN flag since 1948.
This year’s commemoration was on the theme “” Peace begins with me: 75 years of UN peacekeeping.”
Ghana is currently the 7th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping out of 122 countries, with nearly 2,756 Ghanaian military and police personnel among 87, 000 peacekeepers on a mission across the world.
Since the country deployed its first formed contingent to Congo in 1960, more than 147 Ghanaian service men and women have died during various missions.
BY JONATHAN DONKOR
