Major General Anyidoho on Ghana’s hidden role in helping to alleviate the Rwandan genocide

” I thought it was worthwhile staying there … If it had been otherwise, and we had left, really, I wouldn’t know what I would have been telling you 30 years after.”

This week’s “Sunday Night” unveiled a tapestry of experiences shared by Major General (Rtd.) Henry Kwame Anyidoho who is not only revered in Ghana but holds a special place in the hearts of many Rwandans. 

Major General (Rtd) Henry Kwame Anyidoho was born in 1940, Tanyigbe, Ghana and was the Deputy Force Commander of the Ghanaian contingent serving in United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR).

Rwanda in 1994 from the 7 April to 19 July went through a 100-day genocide where the Hutu’s killed over 800,000 Tutsi’s along other Hutus and Twa’s with the entie death casualty from that period being over one million.

Last Sunday (7 April) marked 30 years since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

Rwandan president Paul Kagame led a commemoration of the genocide saying, “Our people will never be left for dead again.”

Time during the Rwandan genocide

According to Major General Anyidoho, Ghana alongside Belgium and Bangladesh were the only countries to provide formed troops.

Ghana contributed about 850 troops to UNAMIR.

He recalls on his time as a peacekeeping soldier, “When Belgium and Bangladesh pulled out and the UN contemplated withdrawal, it was a unanimous decision by the Ghanaian contingent to stay. It was about teamwork and not a moment passes when I don’t think about the lives we were able to save.”

He said, “Had we not stayed, more people would have just been slaughtered. It’s normally women and children … they become the victims.”

The Road Ahead

In referring to similar cases to the Rwandan genocide in West Africa like Liberia, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire, he said, “Avoid saying nasty things to each other. Hate speeches, if you follow the events in Rwanda, you know that the radio station played a very big role in getting people killed, just by preaching hate speeches.”

With the 2024 elections fast approaching, Major General Anyidoho shares insights into peacekeeping and governance, “Our democratic journey since 1992 is a treasure we must safeguard zealously. We must work towards a nation where excellence is rewarded, where youth are inspired to lead, and where history is taught with honesty.”

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