Armed Forces Debunk Negative Peacekeeping Allowance

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says its attention has been drawn to misconception and negative comments especially on social media in respect of the increment of peacekeeping allowances by $31.00 per month as announced by the President at an all ranks durbar in Burma Camp on Thursday 11 August 2016.

In a statement, the GAF said, it is unfortunate, the negative comments being circulated in a cross section of the media and on social media aimed at creating disaffection in respect of an otherwise genuine concern to promote troops welfare.

According to the Ghana Armed Forces, it must be noted that the monthly rate per soldier as paid by the United Nations since July 2014 had been pegged at $1,332.00 out of which $900.00 each was paid to the soldiers on a monthly basis with the remainder expended on pre-operational training activities which includes feeding, clothing, medicals and other logistics and ancillary services.

The statement, signed by Colonel Aggrey-Quashie, Director Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces which was copied to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, (GBC) on Saturday, August 13, 2016, said, with effect from July 2016 the United Nations increased the monthly rate by $32.00 (approx.$1.06 per day) hence the decision by government to accordingly increase the monthly allowances to troops by $31.00 per month (approx. $1.00 per day). Adding that, invariably the increment by the United Nations has all been passed to the troops.

“The Ghana Armed Forces acknowledges that peacekeeping allowances for troops have from time immemorial been increased by government in accordance with United Nations’ periodic increments. In this particular case, the $32.00 increment by the UN has virtually been passed on to troops.” It said.

“The negative comments therefore being circulated intended to downplay the efforts in promoting troops welfare by government is in bad state and does not augur for the cohesion of the Ghana Armed Forces.” The statement concluded.