The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) William Agyapong, has paid a goodwill visit to two ex-servicemen at their residences in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
Lt Gen Agyapong called on the former Forces Sergeant Major (FSM), Ex-Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Adu Yaw Daniel, as well as the former Academy Sergeant Major (ASM) of the Ghana Military Academy (GMA), Warrant Officer Class One (WOI) Ali Nakyea Seidu.
The visit formed part of a strategic initiative to honour the distinguished services of the veterans, check on their welfare, and leverage their institutional knowledge for the benefit ofthe Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
It also aimed to explore ways in which the Service can continue to support them. During the interactions, Ex-CWO Adu, who served as Forces Sergeant Major from 6 May 2009 to 30 May 2013, shared insights from his 37 years of dedicated service.
He also offered several suggestions aimed at strengthening support systems for retired personnel. Ex-WOI Ali Nakyea praised the current leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for their impactful interventions.
He urged the Military High Command to prioritize professional excellence by intensifying training, maintaining merit-based appointments, and upholding core traditions of integrity and teamwork.
Further discussions centered on key welfare issues, such as spousal pensions, the GAF Benevolent Fund, and GAF Trust Fund.
Addressing these substantive issues, Lt Gen Agyapong announced that the Military High Command has engaged the Armed Forces Council to extend spousal pension payments from three to six months.
He noted that the measure is intended to ease the financial burden on spouses and their families during times of bereavement.
The CDS further disclosed that the Benevolent Fund has been increased significantly from five hundred Ghana Cedis (GH 500.00) to ten thousand Ghana Cedis (GH₵ 10,000.00) for beneficiaries.
He highlighted the introduction of the GAF Trust Fund, which is intended to offer immediate financial support of up to fifty-five thousand Ghana Cedis (GH₵ 55,000.00) to a surviving family in the event of the death of serving personnel.
This initiative is expected to cushion families pending the payment of pensions and gratuities.
He added that for service personnel who get injured and are compensated, the fund will give relief of 30% of their assured sum for the injury.
Additionally, when exiting without any claim, 30% of one’s contribution will be paid to all contributors.
Responding to concerns about healthcare, he noted that the completion of the Afari Military Hospital will address most issues and make healthcare accessible to personnel and veterans in the middle and northern belts.
In his concluding remarks, the CDS commended the retirees for their distinguished service and encouraged them to pass on the traditions and values of the Armed Forces to younger personnel whenever possible.
He reaffirmed GAF’s commitment to supporting its veterans. Gift items and an undisclosed amount of money were donated to both ex-servicemen.
In response, both retirees expressed gratitude for the visit, describing it as a thoughtful gesture never witnessed in recent times in the Ghana Armed Forces.
They encouraged continued efforts to strengthen the bond between retired and serving personnel, noting that such engagements foster unity, institutional memory, and mutual respect within the Service.
The CDS was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding, Central Command, Brigadier General Albert Sison Ogaja, the Commanding Officer 4 Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Jenuni Emmanuel Wumbeidow and other staff officers of Central Command.
