ECOWAS Resident Representative Makes First Official Visit to GHANCOY 4 and NIGCOY 4 Contingents in Guinea-Bissau.
By Raymond Enoch
Ambassador Ngozi Ukaeje, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea-Bissau, conducted her first official visit to the Ghanaian (GHANCOY 4) and Nigerian (NIGCOY 4) contingents of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB). This milestone visit follows the recent handover at the end of July between the outgoing GHANCOY 3 and NIGCOY 3 contingents and the newly deployed troops.

During the visit, Ambassador Ukaeje was warmly received with a guard of honour at both contingents’ camps. She took the opportunity to engage directly with the troops, commending their dedication and resilience amid challenging operational conditions. The ambassador toured the facilities, inspecting living quarters and operational centers, ensuring that the contingents are adequately supported as they fulfill their mandate.
Ambassador Ukaeje highlighted the critical importance of maintaining exemplary professionalism among the troops, stressing that their role is pivotal in safeguarding peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau, especially as the country prepares for crucial legislative and presidential elections.

“The responsibility entrusted to you is immense. Your discipline and commitment not only protect lives but also reinforce the democratic process in Guinea-Bissau,” she said. “Your conduct sets the tone for peace in the region, and I urge you to continue to serve with honour and integrity.”
The ESSMGB mission plays an essential role in supporting Guinea-Bissau’s fragile political landscape by stabilizing security, promoting human rights, and helping to create a conducive environment for free and fair elections. The presence of the GHANCOY 4 and NIGCOY 4 contingents underlines ECOWAS’s steadfast commitment to regional peace and cooperation.
As the country approaches a critical political juncture, the ambassador’s visit serves as a morale booster and a reaffirmation of ECOWAS’s unwavering support to the troops and the people of Guinea-Bissau.