The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has dismissed media reports claiming that Ghanaian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are being exploited.
In a statement signed by the Acting Director General of Public Relations, Captain (Ghana Navy) Veronica Adzo Arhin, the military clarified that allegations suggesting troops have been banned from shopping outside their camp or forced to pay for their own airfare during leave are inaccurate.
GAF explained that movement restrictions outside the camp are due to the volatile security situation in UNIFIL’s area of operations, not an attempt to exploit personnel.
To ease the impact, UNIFIL Force Headquarters has supported the establishment of 11 shops operated by local Lebanese vendors within two Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT) locations, in addition to one Post Exchange shop run by the battalion.
“This arrangement gives troops several options to purchase items and not rely solely on the Post Exchange shop, contrary to what has been reported,” the statement said.
On leave travel, the Armed Forces emphasized that Ghanaian peacekeepers are not required to pay for their own airfare.
“The allegation that troops pay for their own airfare during leave to Ghana is untrue,” Captain Arhin stated, adding that the Government of Ghana continues to fully fund air travel for all Ghana Armed Forces peacekeepers, including those serving with UNIFIL.
GAF warned that spreading such misinformation has serious consequences for troop welfare and the nation’s reputation.
“Such misinformation undermines the discipline and morale of troops and could further tarnish the image of the country,” the statement noted.
The Armed Forces therefore appealed to media practitioners to verify information thoroughly before publication, especially on sensitive national security and peacekeeping matters.
