A wave of misinformation sparked by a viral video has forced the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to step forward with a detailed explanation of how United Nations (UN) peacekeeping allowances paid to Ghanaian soldiers are structured and used.
At the heart of the controversy is a false claim that the UN pays as much as $300 per soldier per day, and that the Government of Ghana unfairly withholds a large portion of this amount.
The Military High Command says nothing could be further from the truth.
According to the GAF, the UN pays an average of about $46 per soldier per day for peacekeeping duties, translating into roughly $1,428 a month.
This figure, the military insists, is not secretive or arbitrary but publicly available and easily verifiable through official UN peacekeeping documentation.
Naval Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director of the Department of Public Relations of the GAF, said the claim of a $300 daily allowance was “false, mischievous and dangerous, warning that such distortions had the potential to sow disaffection within the ranks of the Armed Forces and undermine national security.
She explained that out of the $46 paid daily by the UN, $35 goes directly into the pockets of individual Ghanaian peacekeepers as their personal allowance.
The remaining $11, she said, is not “taken” for unrelated government spending but pooled into a central fund dedicated exclusively to supporting soldiers before, during and after deployment.
This pooled amount, according to the GAF, plays a critical role in sustaining Ghana’s peacekeeping operations.
Before deployment, it supports pre-operational training programmes that prepare troops for the complex and often hostile environments they will face in mission areas.
Such training, which includes tactical drills, rules of engagement, medical preparedness and cultural orientation, is essential but expensive, and is not fully covered by UN reimbursements.
During deployment, the same funds are used to supplement logistics and welfare in mission areas.
These include accommodation enhancements, internet and communication services to allow soldiers stay in touch with families back home, welfare support systems, and provisions for festive activities during major holidays such as Christmas and Eid, when troops are far from home.
Naval Captain Arhin noted that morale is a decisive factor in peacekeeping success, and Ghana has consistently invested in keeping its troops motivated.
Part of the pooled funds is therefore used to finance morale-boosting visits by senior military delegations and welfare teams from Ghana, who visit mission areas to assess conditions, resolve challenges and reassure deployed personnel of the nation’s support.
She stressed that far from exploiting soldiers, the Government of Ghana actually spends more on peacekeepers than it receives from the UN.
Beyond the $46 daily allowance, the government supplements peacekeeping missions with additional funding to ensure the safety, comfort and overall welfare of deployed troops.
These include medical evacuations, specialised equipment, insurance coverage and logistical support that often go beyond UN provisions.
The GAF believes that the false narrative being circulated is particularly harmful because it creates the impression that the state is cheating its own soldiers.
Naval Captain Arhin warned that such claims, if left unchecked, could erode trust in military leadership and weaken command authority, with potentially grave consequences.
“When misinformation of this nature circulates, it does not just attack the institution; it undermines discipline and cohesion, which are the backbone of any armed force,” she said, adding that the ultimate casualty of such actions would be the country itself.
She therefore urged Ghanaians to reject claims suggesting that the UN pays anything beyond the established $46 daily rate, describing those claims as deliberate attempts to provoke anger and resentment among troops.
The military also used the opportunity to appeal to the media to exercise responsibility and professionalism in reporting on defence and security matters.
While acknowledging that criticism and scrutiny are essential in a democracy, Naval Captain Arhin said freedom of expression carries corresponding obligations to safeguard the national interest.
“Any attempt to undermine the Armed Forces will not benefit anybody. When the Military High Command faces such challenges, the whole country suffers,” she cautioned.
Beyond the allowance controversy, the GAF also addressed broader welfare concerns, including accommodation challenges within the military.
Naval Captain Arhin explained that the recent extension of service years by five additional years has increased pressure on existing military housing stock.
This has been compounded by new enlistments driven by growing regional insecurity, particularly in West Africa’s fragile security environment.
She reiterated an earlier announcement by the Chief of the Defence Staff that government plans to begin construction of about 700 new accommodation blocks next year, while also completing several stalled military housing projects across the country.
While these measures are expected to significantly ease the situation, she admitted they would not completely resolve the housing deficit in the short term.
Nonetheless, she assured both serving personnel and the general public that the Armed Forces remain committed to transparency, accountability and the welfare of troops.
She also pledged continued engagement with the media, stressing that constructive collaboration between the military and journalists was essential to protecting national security while keeping the public informed.
In the end, the GAF’s message is clear: the $11 retained from the UN’s $46 daily allowance is not a hidden deduction but a structured welfare contribution designed to support Ghanaian peacekeepers throughout their mission lifecycle.
In an era of rampant misinformation, the military says clarity, facts and responsible communication are more important than ever.
