When Major General Anita Asmah joined the military more than thirty years ago, she was only the seventh female in Ghana to join in a non-medical role. Today, Major General Asmah is Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), deployed in the area of separation on the Golan Heights. Her career reflects the strength and resilience women bring to peacekeeping—qualities that have shaped her journey from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to commanding one of the UN’s most sensitive missions.
Major General Anita Asmah distributing service medals to Kazakhstan’s military contingent deployed to UNDOF. Photo: UNDOF
What was your motivation to join the military?
I was twenty-five years old when I decided I wanted a career in the military, I didn’t really think about anything else I wanted to be. The traditional thing was to go into private business, hospitality, maybe law. My friends and family warned me against it, but I grew up in the barracks as my father was a military man. I didn’t tell my parents I was going to join; my mother was horrified when she found out! Although now she is the person most proud of my achievements.
I was just excited. It was a whole new life, different from everyone around me. There were one or two people that seemed against me being there, but I had a lot of mentors that were willing to support me.
What have been your biggest challenges in peacekeeping?
In 1998 I deployed to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), as a Humanitarian Affairs Officer. Part of my duties included community engagement, which was the first time I saw what it was like to live in a troubled area. I grew up in a liberal society, where women were allowed to speak and express themselves. To find a situation where someone made decisions for women was quite a shocking experience, it was not comfortable.
As Force Commander in UNDOF, I deal with parties from Syria and Israel almost every day. A lot of collaboration, coordination, and cooperation is needed to carry out our mandate, as without it, very little would be achieved. We’ve managed to deconflict activities between the two sides, enabling normal patrols and regular interactions, and our troops feel safe. We also work hard to ensure that kinetic activities do not affect the safety and security of our personnel. I always remind parties that fulfilling the mission’s mandate benefits everyone, and that regional stability also contributes to global peace and security.
How has peacekeeping changed during your career?
Traditional peacekeeping was designed to observe, monitor and report. Peacekeeping is now multi-dimensional. We’re involved in activities such as Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration, Protection of Civilians, and dealing with Conflict-Related Sexual Violence—these are sensitive issues that cannot be dealt with by men alone. Women and girls are often most affected by these issues and may feel more comfortable engaging with women peacekeepers when seeking support or sharing information.
It is also important not to stereotype peacekeeping roles. Today, we have women serving in logistics, communications and command roles—they are increasingly being employed in more meaningful ways, not simply to build up numbers in peacekeeping. But more progress is needed. Diverse teams are stronger and more effective. A team with both men and women, from different backgrounds and with different perspectives can bring better solutions to complex challenges and situations.
HOTO Ceremony for Major General Anita Asmah as she took over as UNDOF Head of Mission and Force Commander. Photo: UNDOF
What is your approach to leadership?
I realised that I had a strength for giving advice and carried on in that vein. People have always found me empathetic and able to understand different sides of complex situations. When a solution is needed people gravitate towards me. I also take an approach to live one day at a time. Recognise your small successes and revel in them—enjoy them. Don’t dwell on your failures, focus on how to make the situation better. It’s good to be upbeat and think: “tomorrow I’ll come up with a better solution, I’ll go back and do it better.”
I competed with everyone at an equal level, even physically. I came from a very competitive family, so the goal was always ‘do it better than the next person’. I set myself ambitious targets and everyone knew I was a force to be reckoned with. I did not make it easy for anyone underestimating me.
What is your proudest achievement in peacekeeping?
My proudest achievement is becoming the first African woman to be Force Commander. But I would say my most significant achievement is improving others, making them operate better. I like being an inspiration to other women, helping them realise they’re not just on a peacekeeping mission—they have a purpose to advance local or regional peace. Empowering people makes them more effective. I like it when personnel strive to achieve more because they’re trying to improve themselves at the same time, and they’re more accomplished at the end of the day.
The GAF is one of the leading troop-contributing countries (TCCs) to UN Peace Operations, with over 2,000 troops deployed globally. Since 2022, the Elsie Initiative Fund has provided financial and technical support to its inclusive peacekeeping approach. Between 2023 and 2024, the EIF supported the GAF’s Gender-Strong Unit deployment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), with 20 per cent of the contingent made up of uniformed women.
