The Liberian Ambassador designate to Ghana, Musu Jatu Ruhle, joined several high-profile dignitaries, government officials, and military personnel over the weekend at the funeral of Lieutenant General Arnold Qyuanoo, former Chief of Defense Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces and the first Force Commander of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) during Liberia’s civil war.
The solemn funeral ceremony, held at the St. Catherine Catholic Church in Burma Camp in Accra, was marked by full military honors, including a 21-gun salute and a procession led by the President of Gahan John Dramani Mahama and the Ghana Armed Forces.
The event drew attendance from top military brass, foreign envoys, and members of the diplomatic corps, signifying the late General’s far-reaching impact on both national and international security.
In a heartfelt tribute, the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, lauded the late Lt. Gen. Quainoo’s exceptional service to the nation and his pivotal role in regional peacekeeping efforts especially in Liberia during the heat of the civil crisis in the early 1990.
The Ghanain President added that the late Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo remains one of the most celebrated figures in West African military history for his pivotal role as the first Force Commander of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) during Liberia’s civil war.
“In 1990, as Liberia descended into chaos due to the brutal civil conflict, ECOWAS intervened to restore stability, appointing General Quainoo to lead ECOMOG, the regional peacekeeping force. His leadership was crucial in establishing a ceasefire and securing Monrovia, preventing further civilian massacres amid intense clashes between warring factions”. President Mahama recounted.
Taking charge in August 1990, General Quainoo commanded a multinational force composed mainly of troops from Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Gambia. Despite facing logistical challenges and resistance from Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), ECOMOG succeeded in creating a buffer zone in Monrovia, allowing humanitarian aid to reach thousands of displaced civilians.
Under his command, ECOMOG was able to push back Taylor’s forces, secure key installations, and pave the way for the interim government led by Amos Sawyer. However, political tensions and military disagreements within ECOWAS, coupled with the complexity of the conflict, led to General Quainoo’s withdrawal as commander in late 1990.
Although his tenure as ECOMOG commander was brief, General Quainoo’s leadership set the foundation for future peacekeeping operations in West Africa. His strategic decisions demonstrated the capability of regional forces to intervene in internal conflicts, shaping future ECOWAS-led military interventions in Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali.
His contributions to regional peace and security remain an important chapter in Ghana’s military history.
Today, his legacy is remembered not only in Ghana but across West Africa, where his leadership played a crucial role in stabilizing a war-torn nation during one of its darkest periods.
As Ghana mourns the loss of one of its finest military leaders, Liberia is joining Ghana in mourning the passing of Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo, a distinguished Ghanaian military leader and the first commander of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). Lt. Gen. Quainoo passed away on December 2, 2024, at the age of 85, while receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
Liberia stands in solidarity, honoring the legacy of a leader whose contributions transcended borders as Lt. Gen. Quainoo was laid to rest on February 7, 2025, at the Military Cemetery in Accra. The Liberian populace remembers Lt. Gen. Quainoo for his role in the country’s journey toward the peace Liberia enjoys today.
His passing is a profound loss for both nations, underscoring the deep historical ties and shared aspirations for peace and stability in the West African sub-region.