President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister of Finance to immediately release funds to settle retirement gratuity arrears owed to personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The arrears, estimated at more than GH¢1 billion, are owed to about 3,000 retired officers and soldiers following the implementation of Constitutional Instrument (CI) 129, a subsidiary legislation introduced in 2020 to amend the terms and conditions of service of GAF personnel.
CI 129 extended the length of service for military personnel before retirement, with the aim of retaining experienced officers and strengthening institutional continuity. However, President Mahama said the policy significantly increased retirement and gratuity obligations without corresponding budgetary provisions.
Addressing officers and men of the GAF at the annual West African Soldiers Social Activities (WASSA) in Accra last Friday, the President said the failure to fund the policy over four years had led to the accumulation of substantial arrears.
He said he had instructed the Minister of Finance to release funds to pay outstanding arrears owed to the 1995 and 1996 year groups at existing rates, while steps were being taken to fully clear their entitlements under CI 129.
The WASSA is an annual social event organised to provide an informal platform for interaction among members of the Armed Forces and to acknowledge the contributions of military personnel and civilian staff.
This year’s event was attended by senior military officers, civilian staff and government officials, including the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who is also the acting Minister of Defence, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, and representatives of other security services.
As part of the programme, President Mahama commissioned a fleet of vehicles, including pickup trucks, buses and Land Cruisers, to enhance military mobility and operational efficiency. He also cut the sod for the construction of 10,000 housing units for the Armed Forces.
On personnel welfare, the President announced that a new salary structure for the GAF would take effect in March, with arrears for January and February to be paid within the same period.
He acknowledged that accommodation remained a major challenge, with a national housing deficit of about 14,000 units for the GAF. He said the government was addressing the issue through partnerships and the ongoing Barracks Regeneration Programme.
President Mahama also announced plans to strengthen operational readiness through the establishment of additional forward operating bases, the procurement of armoured vehicles, drones and communication systems, and the creation of a cyber and electronic warfare centre at the Tamale Air Force Base.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, commended the government’s retooling efforts and reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to national security and self-reliance initiatives.
