NEWS

Ghana’s Major General Anita Asmah Appointed to High UN Post

Major General Anita Asmah of Ghana has been appointed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres as the Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

Her tenure officially begins in January 2025. Major General Asmah will succeed Lieutenant General Nirmal Kumar Thapa of Nepal, who completes his term in December 2024.

This appointment makes Major General Asmah the third female officer from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to secure a high-ranking position within the UN.

It also highlights Ghana’s growing reputation for producing exemplary military leaders who contribute to global peace and security efforts. She follows the legacy of the late Brigadier General Constance Emefa Edjeani-Afenu, the first Ghanaian female to hold a senior UN military role, and Commodore Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye, who succeeded Edjeani-Afenu.

A Profile of Major General Anita Asmah

Major General Asmah boasts an impressive military career spanning over three decades, with substantial leadership and peacekeeping experience. Recently, she served as the Director General of the Department of Defence Civilian Establishment in the GAF. From 2021 to 2023, she held the role of Deputy Force Commander of UNDOF, showcasing her leadership in a volatile region.

Her UN peacekeeping contributions also include roles as a Staff Officer with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and as a Military Observer with the United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). Within the Ghana Armed Forces, she has served in capacities such as Director of Education and Course Director at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.

Education and Multilingual Expertise

Major General Asmah holds Bachelor’s degrees in Arts and Law (LLB) from the University of Ghana. She is proficient in English and French, enhancing her ability to navigate international peacekeeping operations effectively.

Her appointment underscores Ghana’s continued commitment to global peacekeeping, highlighting the nation’s military excellence and leadership on the world stage.