Major Godson Amedekah (left), a member of the Ghanaian air force, joined the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (Minurso) in 2004.

Before this he served in UN missions in south Lebanon and Sierra Leone.

"Each mission presents a unique challenge, a unique opportunity," he says.

"In this mission, the UN presence in the Western Sahara desert is crucial to the success of the cease-fire between the conflicting parties. Here I am truly a peacekeeper!"