Ghana thanks France for support after attack on UNIFIL troops
Ghana has expressed appreciation to France for its support and expression of sympathy following an attack on Ghanaian troops serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) earlier this year.
Deputy Minister of Defence, Hon. Ernest Brogya Genfi, conveyed the appreciation during a high-level engagement with France’s Delegate Minister for Armed Forces and Veterans.
Hon. Genfi led a Ghanaian delegation that included Ghana’s Ambassador to France, Her Excellency Mavis Ama Frimpong, and the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee.
The delegation was hosted by the French Delegate Minister for discussions centred on the longstanding defence relationship between Ghana and France, as well as opportunities to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
In a Facebook post, the Deputy Defence Minister noted that the engagement also provided an opportunity to personally acknowledge France’s response to the attack on Ghanaian peacekeepers.
“I particularly used the occasion to convey Ghana’s appreciation for her expression of sympathy when Ghanaian troops serving with UNIFIL came under attack earlier this year,” he said.
The Deputy Minister described the discussions as focused on Ghana-France relations in the area of defence cooperation, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration between the two countries on shared security interests.
The engagement comes against the backdrop of an attack on Ghanaian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on March 6, 2026.
Three Ghanaian peacekeepers were injured inside their position in Al Qawzah, southwestern Lebanon, amid heavy firing. One of the injured soldiers was transferred to Beirut for treatment, while the Ghana Armed Forces later reported that four Ghanaian soldiers had been affected, including one who sustained critical injuries. The accommodation facility for 14 officers was also destroyed, although the affected personnel were subsequently re-kitted and re-accommodated with the necessary logistical and welfare support.
The incident prompted strong international condemnation, with the United Nations calling for the protection of peacekeepers and accountability for those responsible.
France was among the countries that responded to the incident. In a statement issued by France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the country said President Emmanuel Macron had condemned what it described as the “unacceptable” attack on three members of the Ghanaian contingent. France expressed its “full solidarity” with Ghana, wished the injured personnel a speedy recovery and praised the courage, professionalism and dedication of UNIFIL personnel.
France also reiterated its call for the protection of UN peacekeepers and the safety of United Nations personnel, property and premises in accordance with international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
The Israeli military later acknowledged that its forces had mistakenly struck the UNIFIL position after misidentifying it as the source of anti-tank fire from Hezbollah. The military expressed regret over the incident and conveyed apologies to Ghana and the United Nations, according to Reuters.
Against this backdrop of France’s public solidarity and diplomatic support for Ghana following the attack that Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi used his engagement with French officials to express Ghana’s appreciation.
Source: Purefmonlinegh.com || Evans Osei-Bonsu || 2026
