The sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of 2,000 housing units for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) at Burma Camp is more than a ceremonial gesture.
It is a long-overdue response to a chronic challenge that has lingered in Ghana’s security architecture for decades: the welfare of the men and women entrusted with the nation’s defence.
President John Dramani Mahama’s announcement on Friday marks the first phase of a planned 10,000-unit housing project to be executed over the next five years.
In a country where the annual housing deficit for security personnel alone is estimated at about 14,000 units, the scale of the problem cannot be overstated.
For years, soldiers and their families have contended with overcrowded barracks, deteriorating infrastructure and, in many cases, costly private accommodation that eats deep into modest salaries.
The Ghanaian Times reiterates that housing is not a luxury for military personnel; it is a strategic necessity. Stable living conditions directly affect morale, discipline, family stability and operational readiness.
A soldier worried about rent arrears or commuting long distances from unsafe neighbourhoods is a soldier distracted from duty. In this regard, the housing project, together with the Barracks Regenerated Programme, represents a step in the right direction.
We also find it very significant the President’s announcement of a pay rise for the GAF personnel, effective March 2026, with arrears for January and February to be paid the same month.
In an era of rising living costs and persistent inflationary pressures, improved remuneration is essential to retaining skilled personnel and discouraging the erosion of professionalism within the ranks.
However, beyond the promises lies a sobering reminder of past neglect. The President’s disclosure that no budgetary allocation was made to operationalise enhanced gratuity levels following the introduction of C.I. 129 in 2020 exposes a troubling pattern of policy pronouncements unsupported by fiscal commitment. The resulting GH¢1 billion debt owed to about 3,000 retired personnel is not just a financial liability; it is a moral one.
That soldiers who served this nation faithfully could retire only to face delayed or unpaid gratuities is unacceptable.
The directive to release funds to clear arrears for the 1995 and 1996 year groups is therefore welcome, but it must not be a one-off gesture. A clear, transparent and time-bound plan is needed to settle all outstanding obligations, including those arising under C.I. 219.
It is also refreshing the commissioning of vehicles under the GH¢1 billion security agencies retooling initiative which further reinforces the message of renewed attention to defence readiness.
Modern security threats from terrorism and piracy to illegal mining and transnational crime require a well-equipped and mobile military. Logistics, after all, is the backbone of effective operations.
However, history urges caution. Ghanaians have witnessed many sod-cuttings that never translated into completed projects, and many well-intentioned announcements that withered under budgetary constraints. This moment must therefore be treated not as a political victory lap, but as a test of execution.
For the Ghana Armed Forces, respect is measured not by rhetoric but by action: completed housing units, paid salaries and gratuities, and consistent investment in equipment and training.
For government, credibility will hinge on delivering these commitments on schedule and insulating them from political cycles.
Those who pledge their lives to protect the Republic deserve nothing less than the Republic’s unwavering commitment in return.
Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
🌍 Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
✅ Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
