Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) William Agyapong, has announced that new initiatives are being considered to enhance the welfare of both serving and retired personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

Addressing 1995/96 GAF retirees at Burma Hall on Friday, August 29, during a deliberation on life after active service, the Chief of Defence Staff noted that a proposed mutual health insurance scheme to ease medical expenses and the establishment of a child endowment fund to support dependents of personnel who die in the line of duty are under consideration.

He explained that these initiatives have become necessary “given the inadequacy of the current dependent pension.” For him, the engagement was an opportunity to clear doubts and respond to pressing issues concerning retirees. He stressed that the Military High Command bears the responsibility of ensuring that all personnel who have served receive their rightful entitlements, particularly emoluments and benefits.

The Chief of Defence Staff concluded by congratulating the 1995/96 retirees for their loyal service to the Colours and for honourably retiring after three decades of dedicated duty.

Last month, President John Dramani Mahama announced the creation of a dedicated support fund for the children of the eight victims who died in the military helicopter crash of August 6. Three of the deceased were security personnel of the Ghana Air Force: Wing Commander Peter Baafemi Anala, Flight Lieutenant Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Flight Sergeant Mensah Addo Ernest.

The welfare of gallant security personnel who put their lives on the line to protect citizens remains one of the government’s priorities. The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has committed to the welfare of Fire Service personnel by announcing measures to improve their conditions, including support as they approach retirement.

He announced a GH₵100,000.00 insurance package for personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) who sustain permanent injuries in the line of duty. “Under the scheme, GH₵50,000.00 will be paid to firefighters sustaining non-permanent injuries in the line of duty. GH₵100,000.00 will be awarded in cases of permanent disability in the line of duty. GH₵100,000.00 will be given in the event of a firefighter’s death on active duty. Even natural deaths while in service will attract a benefit of GH₵50,000.00,” he announced at a passing-out ceremony of 1,658 recruits on June 20.

He clarified that in the case of death in the line of duty, the family of the deceased officer will receive GH₵100,000.00. According to Honourable Muntaka, the introduction of this new insurance package for all GNFS personnel is aimed at boosting morale and ensuring financial security for officers injured or killed in their line of duty.

“This is just the beginning,” the Minister emphasized. “We are committed to improving welfare packages, logistics support, and working conditions for our gallant fire officers, whose sacrifices often go unnoticed,” he added.

The Honourable Minister also used the occasion to highlight critical challenges facing the Service, including the persistent issue of prank calls to emergency lines. He warned that such misuse of resources delays real-life interventions and can cost lives. He urged the public, especially the youth, to treat emergency numbers with seriousness and responsibility.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) stands stronger than ever, ready to meet the demands of a fast-changing world. With enhanced training, improved welfare support, and growing public awareness, Ghana’s firefighting force is not only growing in number but also in strength, determination, and readiness to serve the nation.

In June this year, the late Minister for Defence, Dr Omane Boamah, who was one of the eight individuals that perished in the unfortunate helicopter crash, provided clarification regarding the release of 12 Major Generals from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). On Wednesday, June 11, the sector minister appeared before Parliament to answer a question he deemed “wrong” from the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. Ntim Fordjour.

According to Dr Boamah, he felt compelled to provide clarification since such a question could “mislead the public.” Presenting the facts to Parliament, the Defence Minister explained that eight Major Generals (2-Star) had reached the point of commencing their terminal leave pending compulsory retirement.

Additionally, four Major Generals (2-Star), aged between 60 and 62 years, are to be released prior to their mandatory retirement age of 63, in accordance with GAF regulations and precedence. Meanwhile, Major General Irvin Nii-Ayittey Aryeetey, who is among the eight being released, is being sponsored in the rank of Lieutenant General to compete for the high office of Military Adviser, Office of Military Affairs of the Department of Peace Operations at the Assistant Secretary General level at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, U.S.A.

Altogether, 12 Major Generals—eight due for terminal leave prior to compulsory retirement—will be released from the Service sometime between December 2025 and January 2026. The Defence Minister also accounted for the whereabouts of three Major Generals who are not on terminal leave pending compulsory retirement. Major General Robert Affram is currently serving as Deputy Force Commander with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Major General Anita Asmah is currently serving as Force Commander with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). On the other hand, Air Vice Marshal Felix Asante has been appointed as Acting President of the National Defence University (NDU) in Ghana.

With regard to precedence, Dr Boamah revealed that this practice occurred under the administrations of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, the late former President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, and former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.