Ghana: Ghana's first female United Nations peacekeeper, retired Lieutenant Colonel Georgina Mensah, has opened up about her formative years in the military, recalling how she stood toe-to-toe with her male peers during rigorous training sessions. At 83, Lt Col Mensah shared her journey in an interview with Kafui Dey, highlighting her unique position as the sole woman amongst approximately 50 professionals-including individuals from finance, education, law, and administration-who joined the Military Academy at that time.
According to Ghana Web, despite being the only woman, Lt Col Mensah did not perceive herself as different and embraced the challenge of matching the men during physical exercises. "I was the only woman in my team of professionals... It was great because I could challenge. I could do things some of the men could not do," she remarked. Her entry into military training was particularly remarkable given that it came only months after major surgery for an ulcer at Agogo Hospital.
She detailed how she had already passed the interview for the training before her surgery in January 1975. By April, when called to commence training, she chose to proceed despite a prominent surgical scar. "By the time we went to the military academy, I had gone through a major surgery," she recounted, emphasizing her determination to not let the surgery impede her military aspirations.
The initial days of training proved challenging due to her recovery, compounded by the gentle treatment she had been accustomed to as a teacher. "I couldn't straighten out... But when I got to the compound... It's a tough thing in the beginning," she said. Nevertheless, the rigorous demands did not deter her competitive spirit. Her slim build and agility aided her in excelling in various exercises, often leading to her finishing among the top trainees in the steeplechase.
Her exceptional performance during training paved the way for her historic achievement as Ghana's first female UN peacekeeper, setting a precedent for women in the Ghana Armed Forces and breaking groundbreaking barriers.