Passing of former MINURSO Deputy Force Commander Brig. Gen. Constance Emefa Edjeani-Afenu
Our beloved former Deputy Force Commander, Brigadier General Constance Emefa Edjeani-Afenu has passed away after a brief illness in her home country of Ghana. DFC Edjenani-Afenu—“Constance” to all—was our first woman Deputy Force Commander and served MINURSO with honour and distinction from 2019-2022, focusing relentlessly on improving the conditions of service of MINURSO’s UNMO personnel and working (successfully) to promote inclusiveness and to increase the number of women serving in MINURSO. Every year, she ensured that International Women’s Day was celebrated throughout the Mission. MINURSO will be proud to continue this tradition in her honour.
Brigadier Edjeani-Afenu was a true trailblazer. Over 41 years of service, she rose through the ranks of her national military to become the first female Commanding Officer and the first female Brigadier General of the Ghana Armed Forces. She also served in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Southern Lebanon, Liberia and in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She served as a Military Observer in the UN Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo and was first female Team Leader in the UN’s history.
Our Constance was truly an inspiration. No one who met her ever forgot her remarkable smile and infectious laugh. She inspired and mentored literally generations of soldiers and officers. She always had time to stop to chat, to share a laugh, to encourage and offer advice, and she never passed up an opportunity to dance. She had just finished work on her first book, which will be called “Ladyboots” which will tell her own personal story as well as discussing being a woman in a male dominated hierarchy. She is survived by her Husband, three children and two grandchildren.
She will be dearly missed by all the personnel of MINURSO and by the entire family of UN peacekeeping. We offer our heartfelt condolences to her friends, family and to the people and Government of the Republic of Ghana who have lost one of their favorite daughters.
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Source: MINURSO