Major General Anita Asmah becomes the UN’s first African woman Force Commander

On December 11, 2024, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Ghana’s Major General Anita Asmah as the Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). Major General Asmah will make history as the UN’s first African woman Force Commander.

Major General Asmah expressed her excitement and readiness for this groundbreaking role. “I am happy and whole heartedly accept this role to serve. I am so in love with the mission, country and people.  It is an opportunity to lessen their suffering” she said in an interview.

Major General Asmah previously served as Deputy Force Commander of UNDOF from 2021 to 2023, during which she also acted as Force Commander for three months (July to November 2022). Reflecting on her tenure, she highlighted the connections she forged with the local communities, UN personnel and her affection for the mission, the region, and its people. This new opportunity, she shared, will allow her to further address the challenges faced by the host communities.

Major General Asmah acknowledged several challenges facing the mission, including the region's geopolitical complexities, harsh terrain and extreme weather, among others. Despite these obstacles, she remains optimistic, citing the resilience and capability of the UNDOF team and her confidence in using tact and diplomacy to achieve the mission's objectives. "I am up to the task," she affirmed.

She highlighted the impact of the UN Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy (2018–2028), which, she notes, has increased women’s participation in peacekeeping, and called for further incentives to boost parity before the end of the strategy’s implementation. Major General Asmah emphasized that women should view their role in the Military and in UN Peacekeeping as a profession career and strive to excel in their responsibilities. “Only by excelling in our responsibilities can we pave the way for more women to take on command positions and truly transform the landscape of peacekeeping operations” she said.

She shared her joy at the news of her appointment: "I quickly checked my phone and saw numerous congratulatory messages," she recounted, beaming with pride at becoming the first African woman UN Force Commander.

Commodore Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye, former Deputy Force Commander for the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO), described Major General Asmah’s appointment as a significant milestone and a step forward for women and for efforts towards gender parity in peacekeeping. "I feel truly elated," she said, emphasizing that this achievement highlights Ghana’s commitment to inclusion, particularly in the field. She further noted that, with this appointment, Ghana is setting an example for Africa and urged troop-contributing countries to deploy more senior women, enabling them to take on leadership roles.

For Ghanaians, Major General Asmah’s journey is particularly inspiring. A proud alumna of Aburi Girls’ Senior High School, she serves as a role model, showcasing how determination and hard work can lead to remarkable achievements and significant contributions on national and global levels. She also holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees from the University of Ghana and is fluent in English and French.

With over 31 years of leadership experience in the Ghana Armed Forces and UN Peacekeeping, Major General Asmah is set to celebrate her 60th birthday in February 2025 as she embarks on this historic role.

She succeeds Lieutenant General Nirmal Kumar Thapa of Nepal, whose term as UNDOF Force Commander concludes in mid-December 2024 after serving honourably since July 2022.