Retired Soldiers Not Being Neglected

The attention of the Ghana Armed Forces has been drawn to a publication in the Tuesday, December 16, 2014 of the Daily Guide, headed �Retired Soldiers Fret over unpaid Entitlements�. The said publication contains several factual inaccuracies which tend to put the Armed Forces in general and the Chief of the Defence Staff in particular in a bad light. The 1988 and 1989 year groups have served27 and 26 years respectively with the colours; they started their terminal leave on 1 December 2014 and it would end by May 2015. Per Ghana Armed Forces regulation, Other Ranks serve with the colours for 25 years, after which they proceed on retirement. Any member of the Armed Forces who is on terminal leave continue to receive his/her normal monthly salary till the end of the leave. During this period, the Armed Forces through administrative and financial arrangements process the terminal benefits of the pensioners. The soldier is also allowed to continue to stay in barracks till his or her terminal benefits are paid. It is therefore not correct that the soldiers (1988/1989 group) on terminal leave are to be ejected from the barracks. The 1988 and 1989 year groups have been on terminal leave for only two weeks, a period too short for all the necessary administrative processes to be completed for them to receive all their terminal benefits. It is therefore not correct to say that the Armed Forces is delaying in the release of their terminal benefits. After 25 years of active service there is the need for troops to take a rest. The terminal leave is thus a measure to allow personnel affected to readjust into civil life style and that cannot be considered as idling. The Military High Command wish to take this opportunity to assure the affected soldiers and the general public that they have not been forgotten. Their services to the nation and the Armed Forces in particular are highly appreciated. All efforts are being made to speedily complete the administrative processes for them to receive their terminal benefits even before they complete their terminal leave. Signed: E AGGREY-QUASHIE Lieutenant Colonel Acting Director Public Relations.