By Daniel Bampoe
The National Democratic Congress Government has formally protested to the United Nations following a missile attack on Ghanaian peacekeepers serving in southern Lebanon, demanding a full and transparent investigation into the incident that left two soldiers seriously injured.
In a statement issued on March 7, 2026, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed that the government had lodged an official protest with the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, over the attack on the Ghanaian battalion serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The attack occurred on March 6, 2026, at the Ghanaian battalion headquarters in southern Lebanon amid escalating hostilities in the region.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the protest note called for a full, immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the strike on the peacekeeping base.
Ghanaian authorities stressed that personnel deployed under UN mandates are engaged in maintaining international peace and security and must be protected under international law.
The government strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a serious violation of international law and an affront to the protections guaranteed to UN peacekeeping forces. Officials further indicated that such acts could amount to a war crime, emphasizing that those responsible for the missile strike must be identified and held accountable.
Two Ghanaian soldiers were seriously injured during the attack on the battalion base, which forms part of the contingent deployed to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
The injured personnel are currently receiving medical care while authorities work with UN officials to ensure their safety and evacuation for advanced treatment.
In the protest addressed to the UN chief, Ghana also urged the United Nations to take urgent and concrete steps to enhance the safety and security of all personnel serving under UNIFIL, including the Ghanaian contingent.
The government noted that peacekeepers serving in conflict zones operate under dangerous conditions and make daily sacrifices in the pursuit of global peace and humanitarian protection.
The statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also conveyed solidarity with the injured soldiers and their families.
The Government officials assured the Ghanaian troops deployed in Lebanon that the state would pursue justice and continue to advocate for stronger protection measures to safeguard their lives.
Ghana has been one of the longest-serving contributors to UN peacekeeping operations since independence, deploying troops to missions across Africa, the Middle East and other conflict zones.
Ghanaian soldiers have participated in several international operations including those in Lebanon, where the UN mission was established in 1978 to oversee security along the volatile Israel–Lebanon border and support stability in the region.
Over the decades, Ghanaian contingents serving with UNIFIL have gained international recognition for professionalism and discipline.
However, the fragile security situation in southern Lebanon—often marked by exchanges between Israeli forces and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah—has repeatedly exposed UN peacekeepers to heightened risks.
Despite the attack, Ghana reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to global peacekeeping efforts and its support for UN missions aimed at maintaining international peace and security.
The government stressed that the safety and protection of peacekeepers must remain a priority for the international community.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would continue to closely monitor developments and maintain active engagement with relevant UN authorities as investigations into the attack proceed.
