Retiring army officers cry over gratuities

Controversies arising at the indicates that, one thousand three hundred and forty retiring soldiers have raised grievances over their entitlements which was presumed to undeserving from management.

Tens of thousands of Ghana Cedis have been scrapped from their entitlements. Evidence reviewed GHC 30,000.00 have been deducted from each soldier’s entitlement.

The Ministry of Finance on October 9, 2014 authorized  the release of an amount of GHC One Hundred and Forty-Two Million and Seventy- One Thousand, Nine Hundred  and Seventy Four Ghana Pesewas to enable the Ministry of Defense pay gratuities due to the retiring officers of  the Ghana Armed Forces.

The 1988 and 1989 year group of soldiers have been placed on compulsory retirement list effective this year. The beneficiaries’ officers were ranked, MWO, SWO, WOI, WOII, S/SGT, CPK and L/CPL.

Information circulating among the officers revealed that Senior Warrant Officers were to receive GHC 92,859.00 as 80% of their gratuities but instead they received GHC 60, 000.00. Senior Staff were given GHC 55, 000.00 instead of 72,007.00 due them.

The Public Relation Officer of the Ghana Armed Forces, Colonel Aggrey Quarshie explained that, the officers have been taught how to calculate for their entitlement but they arguably persist that they have been shortchanged.