CI 129: Govt to begin payment of GH¢1 billion to retired soldiers
President John Dramani Mahama
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has announced that the government has approved the payment of gratuity arrears for retired military personnel under the implementation of Constitutional Instrument (CI) 129.
President John Dramani Mahama had earlier instructed the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to immediately release funds to settle outstanding retirement gratuities owed to personnel of the Armed Forces.
The retired servicemen and women — both officers and enlisted ranks — are owed more than GH¢1 billion following the implementation of Constitutional Instrument (CI) 129.
CI 129, introduced in 2020, is a subsidiary legislation that amended the terms and conditions of service for personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Under the new arrangement, personnel were permitted to remain in active service for a longer period before retirement.
The policy was intended to retain experienced officers and strengthen institutional continuity within the military.
According to the Military High Command, the decision follows months of engagements with the Ministries of Finance and Defence after the current leadership assumed office, aimed at resolving a five-year dispute over the gratuity calculation formula under the instrument.
The consultations have now produced a clear two-year phased implementation roadmap.
Under the approval, all officers and soldiers who retired from November 2020 will receive arrears calculated using the new gratuity formula. Payments will be made in four instalments from February 2026 to December 2027.
The first tranche is expected to be released by the close of business on Friday, February 27, 2026.
In total, 238 officers and 2,155 soldiers are set to benefit from the payment exercise. The Armed Forces also indicated that all future retirements will now be processed fully in line with CI 129.
The High Command noted that the decision finally resolves an issue that has remained unsettled since 2020 and ensures affected personnel, as well as those yet to retire, will receive their full entitlements at the appropriate rate.
The Military High Command further expressed appreciation to the government for supporting the resolution of the long-standing matter.
