Government begins clearing GH₵1 billion military gratuity arrears, new pay scales set for March
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate payment of more than GH¢1 billion in outstanding gratuity arrears owed to about 3,000 retired military personnel and announced new salary scales for members of the Ghana Armed Forces, effective March 2026.
The President made the announcements on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the annual West African Soldiers’ Social Activity held at the forecourt of the Department of Public Relations in Accra.
Addressing officers, soldiers, defence civilian staff and guests, President Mahama said the arrears accumulated after the revised gratuity regime introduced in 2020 were not backed by budgetary provision in subsequent years.
“It will interest you to know that over the four years following the year 2020, the previous administration made no budgetary allocation to operationalise the new gratuity levels,” he said. “This has led to a pile-up of arrears exceeding one billion cedis, owed to about three thousand personnel of different ranks.”
The arrears arose from Constitutional Instrument 129, introduced in 2020, which extended the length of service and resulted in higher retirement benefits and gratuity payments for retiring personnel.
President Mahama said he had instructed the Minister of Finance to release funds to pay outstanding gratuities for the 1995 and 1996 year groups at the existing rate, while steps are taken to settle the balances due under CI 129.
On salaries, the President announced that new salary scales for armed forces personnel would take effect in March 2026, with arrears for January and February to be paid in the same month.
“It pleases me to announce that your new salary scales will start in March and the arrears for January and February will also be paid in March,” he said.
President Mahama announced that the 48 Engineer Regiment would receive District Road Improvement Programme equipment to take part in government road construction under the Big Push initiative, with the aim of generating income for the armed forces.
The President said two forward operating bases in the northern part of the country are ready for commissioning. He added that funds have been provided in the 2026 budget to complete four additional bases before the end of the year.
He announced plans to establish two new military units in the Oti and Central regions, citing changing security conditions in those areas.
President Mahama said the government is procuring armoured personnel carriers, strategic drones, advanced communication systems, offshore patrol vessels for the Ghana Navy and four Eurocopter helicopters for the Ghana Air Force.
The President said the ongoing recruitment exercise, which began last year, is intended to increase the strength of the Ghana Armed Forces by 12,000 personnel over the next four years.
He expressed condolences to the families of eight service personnel who died while on duty in connection with mining operations. He also conveyed condolences to families affected by the El-Wak Stadium stampede during recruitment activities and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He said he supports proposals such as a mutual health fund for service personnel and their families, with seed funding expected from the National Security Secretariat.
He congratulated Lance Corporal Jerry Lartey on winning the WBA Africa Super Lightweight title and Able Seaman Class 2 Precious Sarah Akutor of the Ghana Navy for completing a three-kilometre open water swim to raise funds and awareness for children with special needs.
