Non-Payment of Gratuity, Pension: Retired soldiers unhappy with CDS

A group of over 500 retirees of the Ghana Armed Forces has threatened to initiate legal action against the Chief of Defence Staff over the Defence Ministry's failure to compute the gratuity and pensions due to them.

It is the conviction of the retirees that the delay is in contravention of the Armed Forces (Amendment) Regulations (2020 C.I. 129).

Two of the affected persons complained that in spite of scheduled payments for November 13, 2025 and January 4, 2026, they have still not received payments as promised.

They claim they have also not been updated on the matter.

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As a result, they have reminded the Acting Minister for Defence, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, of the need to do the needful, demanding a clear timeline for settlement of the said gratuity and pension due them.

Trusting the just leadership of the President, the retirees, who belong to the 1995 and 1996 intakes and the over-aged group, have also petitioned the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces to decisively intervene to rescue the situation.

According to them, the delay in paying the lawful entitlements has negatively impacted their families, and they hoped payments would be settled promptly upon completion of decades of loyal and selfless service to the Republic, often under difficult and hazardous conditions.

The petitioners claimed that prolonged uncertainty surrounding the payment of their gratuity and pension has affected the sense of closure and dignity that should accompany retirement from national service.

The Ministry of Defence per a letter of October 28, 2025 with Reference HA153/604/10 said the concerns raised regarding the computation of gratuity and pension under the Armed Forces (Amendment) Regulations (2020 C. I. 129) have duly been brought to the attention of the Military High Command and that the Chief of Defence Staff has since August 2025 met and assured the affected personnel that the matter is receiving attention.

The Chief Director, E. A. Kartey, who signed for the Acting Minister of Defence, said the computation formulae are currently under review to ensure conformity with applicable law and fairness to all affected personnel and implored the retirees to exercise restraint pending the conclusion of the process.

The Defence Ministry assured its commitment to address the concerns of all released service personnel in accordance with due process and the governing military regulations.

Meanwhile, the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice has acknowledged receipt of the petitioners' concerns.

Vivian Opoku-Agyakwa, Chief State Attorney, said the Attorney General and Minister of Justice are awaiting the internal review processes at the Ministry of Defence.