Ghana Armed Forces to Release First Batch of Long-Serving Soldiers in May

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) will resume the official release of long-serving soldiers starting May 2025, marking the end of a five-year suspension of general discharges.

This decision, announced in a statement by Captain Veronica Arhin of the Ghana Navy and Acting Director General of Public Relations, follows the provisions of GAF regulations and Constitutional Instrument (CI) 129, which had extended the terms of service of military personnel since 2020.

According to the statement, the upcoming release will affect the 1995 and 1996 year groups — soldiers who have completed 30 years of dedicated service or reached the mandatory retirement age.

Their discharge is described as “honourable,” reflecting their outstanding contribution to national defence and global peace efforts.

“These individuals have demonstrated immense professionalism, sacrifice, and loyalty throughout their service,” the statement read, adding that their work under difficult conditions helped maintain Ghana’s stability and sovereignty.

In addition to domestic duties, many of these service members also served in international peacekeeping operations under the United Nations and the African Union, contributing significantly to Ghana’s strong global military reputation.

Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the retiring personnel on behalf of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces.

He also acknowledged the essential role played by the soldiers’ families, whose support helped sustain the troops throughout their careers.

The GAF plans to continue with subsequent releases as other service year groups complete their tenure.

As this process resumes, GAF assures the public of its continued commitment to professionalism and transparency in managing military human resources.

The move is seen as both a sign of institutional integrity and a show of respect for the enduring service of the Armed Forces’ veterans, setting a renewed tone for orderly military career transitions.