Ghana’s Maj-Gen Anita Asmah Appointed UN Force Commander and Head of Mission for UNDOF
in a historic appointment, Major General Anita Asmah of Ghana has been named the new Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), effective mid-December 2024. This prestigious role makes her the first Ghanaian to hold this position.
Maj-Gen Asmah succeeds Lieutenant General Nirmal Kumar Thapa of Nepal, who has led the UNDOF since September 2022. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed gratitude to Lt-Gen Thapa for his leadership and dedication to UN peacekeeping efforts.
With an impressive 31 years of leadership and command experience in the Ghana Armed Forces and UN peacekeeping, Maj-Gen Asmah is well-equipped to lead the UNDOF. Her previous roles include Director General in the Department of Defence Civilian Establishment of the Ghanaian Armed Forces, Deputy Force Commander of UNDOF (2021-2023), and Staff Officer in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Maj-Gen Asmah’s academic credentials are equally impressive, holding Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees from the University of Ghana. She is fluent in English and French.
As the new Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNDOF, Maj-Gen Asmah will oversee the UN’s peacekeeping efforts in the Golan Heights, between Israel and Syria. Her appointment is a testament to Ghana’s contributions to global peacekeeping and a source of pride for the country.
