Kumasi, Ghana – By: Evans Osei-Bonsu
Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Brogya Genfi, has drawn attention to critical gaps in global peacekeeping efforts, particularly around the protection of civilians in conflict zones.
Speaking at a United Nations conference in Tunis, Tunisia, last weekend on the role of armed forces in civilian protection, Mr. Genfi urged participants to reflect on the human cost of delayed and inadequate peacekeeping responses.
“While the loss of soldiers on the battlefield is a profound tragedy, we must acknowledge a fundamental truth: soldiers go to war with the full knowledge of its risks. Civilians, on the other hand, often awaken to war as victims—unarmed, unprepared, and unaware until it is upon them,” he said.
Citing former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, he noted:
“Peacekeeping is not a job for soldiers, but only soldiers can do it.”
Mr. Genfi’s comments come at a time when peacekeeping missions across Africa and other conflict regions face growing criticism for failing to protect civilians from violence, displacement, and humanitarian crises. He argued that civilian deaths while awaiting aid should not be dismissed as mere numbers, but viewed as reminders of structural flaws that need urgent fixing.
“Every civilian death reported while awaiting humanitarian relief is not just a statistic; it is a stark reminder of the gaps in peacekeeping operations—gaps that demand urgent action and reform,” he added.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Deputy Minister held separate meetings with Tunisia’s Minister of National Defence and the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in peace operations, regional security, and troop contributions.
Ghana has long been one of the leading contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, but officials have increasingly pushed for reforms to make operations more responsive to civilian needs on the ground.
The conference brought together military and political leaders, UN officials, and defence experts from across the globe to assess the current state of peacekeeping and explore strategies to improve protection for civilians trapped in conflict.
Mr. Ernest Brogya Genfi represented Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah at the conference, which focused on “The Role of Armed Forces in the Protection of Civilians in Peace Operations.”
