A Ghanaian peacekeeper serving in the disputed Sudan-South Sudan border region of Abyei has won the 2022 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for her efforts in promoting peace for women.
Captain Cecilia Erzuah, 32, who has served in Abyei since March 2022 as the commander of the Ghana engagement platoon, will receive the award from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a ceremony marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on Thursday.
Started in 2016, the award recognises the dedication and efforts of an individual military peacekeeper in promoting the UN principles of women, peace and security.
“On every front, Captain Erzuah’s work has set the standard for ensuring that the needs and concerns of women are reflected across our peacekeeping operations,” said Mr Guterres in a statement.
Captain Erzuah is the first Ghanaian peacekeeper in the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) to receive the prestigious award.
Ghana is currently the largest contributor of women military peacekeepers to the UN with 375 now deployed.
