GAF Reveals True UN Peacekeeper Daily Allowance
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has refuted claims circulating that Ghanaian peacekeeping troops receive $300 per day from the United Nations, labeling the assertions as a calculated effort to sow discord among personnel.
At a press conference held in Accra today, Acting Director-General of Public Relations for the GAF, Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, clarified that the UN reimburses troop-contributing countries with an average of $46 per day, translating to approximately $1,428 per month per soldier. She emphasized the public accessibility of these figures for verification.
Captain Arhin explained that of the $46 daily allowance, the government directly pays $35 to the soldier, with the remaining $11 allocated to supporting troop welfare and mission-related logistics.
These funds are utilized for crucial areas such as pre-operational training, logistical support, welfare provisions – including internet access – within mission zones, and morale-boosting initiatives.
She highlighted the extensive six-week pre-operational training at Bundase, which demands substantial logistical and financial investment. Furthermore, Captain Arhin noted that the government provides additional support during festive periods, organizing Christmas programs for battalions deployed on missions.
“Delegations are periodically dispatched from Ghana to mission areas to uplift morale, assess on-the-ground conditions, and reassure personnel that their welfare and performance are closely monitored by command,” she disclosed. “These monies and more are what the remaining $11 is used for. Beyond that, the government adds extra funding to ensure the safety, welfare and comfort of our troops before, during and after missions.”
Captain Arhin appealed to the public, especially media practitioners, to dismiss attempts to mislead and undermine the GAF. “We wish to state emphatically that the purported story of the UN paying anything more than 46 dollars per day is mischievous and must be rejected by all well-meaning Ghanaians,” she stated, adding that responsible journalism necessitates fact-checking readily available information.
While acknowledging the media’s support and constructive criticism, she reminded journalists that freedom of expression carries responsibility, warning that actions undermining the GAF ultimately jeopardize national security. “When our military high command faces such challenges, the whole country suffers,” she cautioned.
Addressing accommodation challenges within the GAF, Captain Arhin acknowledged increased pressure on existing housing due to the extension of service years by five years and a rise in recruitment driven by regional insecurity.
However, she announced that the Chief of the Defence Staff has directed the commencement of work on 700 new accommodation blocks next year, alongside the completion of all previously stalled housing projects. “These interventions will drastically reduce accommodation challenges, though I cannot say the problem will be completely eliminated,” she assured.
Captain Arhin concluded by reiterating a call for national unity and unwavering support for the GAF, emphasizing that the nation’s stability hinges on strong institutions and collective responsibility.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
