Ghana has formally lodged a protest with the United Nations following an attack that injured two members of the Ghanaian Battalion serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon on March 6, 2026.
The protest was submitted on behalf of the Government of Ghana by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a diplomatic note addressed to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres. In the communication, Ghana called for a full, immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack on the peacekeepers.
According to the government, the incident left two Ghanaian soldiers seriously injured after missiles landed near their deployment area in southern Lebanon. The soldiers are part of Ghana’s contingent assigned to UNIFIL, one of the United Nations’ longest-running peacekeeping missions tasked with maintaining stability along the volatile Israel-Lebanon border.
Ghana strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a grave violation of international law and the protections afforded to United Nations peacekeeping personnel. The government stated that targeting peacekeepers constitutes a war crime and demanded that those responsible be identified and held accountable.
The Foreign Ministry further urged the United Nations to take all necessary steps to enhance the safety and security of the Ghanaian contingent serving in Lebanon, as well as all peacekeeping personnel operating under the UNIFIL mandate. It emphasized that peacekeepers operate under difficult conditions and at considerable personal risk while carrying out their mission.
Ghana’s peacekeepers in Lebanon are part of a multinational force tasked with monitoring the cessation of hostilities, supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces, and helping maintain stability along the Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel. Their duties include conducting patrols, observing ceasefire violations, assisting local communities, and facilitating humanitarian access in conflict-affected areas.
For decades, the Ghana Armed Forces have been a significant contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations. Ghanaian troops deployed in Lebanon have built a reputation for professionalism and community engagement, often supporting local development activities and maintaining close cooperation with civilians in their areas of operation.
Preliminary reports indicate that the missiles landed in the vicinity of the peacekeepers’ location amid heightened hostilities in southern Lebanon, where exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and armed groups have intensified in recent weeks. Such cross-border confrontations have raised concerns about the safety of UN personnel stationed in the region.
Although UNIFIL peacekeepers are not party to the conflict, their positions are sometimes located near areas where military exchanges occur, increasing the risk of accidental or collateral damage. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that escalating hostilities in southern Lebanon pose serious risks to peacekeepers and civilians alike.
The Government of Ghana said it remains deeply concerned about the safety of its troops and assured the injured soldiers and their families that no effort will be spared in pursuing justice and ensuring stronger protections for Ghanaian personnel deployed abroad.
Accra also reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to international peacekeeping, noting that Ghana has been one of the leading troop-contributing countries to United Nations missions across Africa and the Middle East. The government stressed that the safety of peacekeepers must remain a priority in the collective effort to maintain global peace and security.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will continue to monitor developments closely and remain in active engagement with the United Nations regarding the investigation into the incident and the broader security situation affecting UNIFIL operations.
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