KEY POINTS
- Ghanaian peacekeepers earn significantly less than their counterparts in Nigeria and Kenya.
- Boamah plans to adopt the wet lease system to improve peacekeeping allowances.
- Military reforms will focus on troop welfare, mental health, and fair recruitment.
Ghana’s Defense Minister-designate, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, has vowed to push for fair compensation for Ghanaian soldiers serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
During his appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on January 28, 2025, he acknowledged that Ghanaian troops receive significantly lower allowances than their counterparts from other African nations.
Ghanaian peacekeepers receive daily payment of $35 which corresponds to monthly earnings of about $435. By comparison, Nigerian troops receive $600 monthly, while Kenyan peacekeepers earn approximately $756.
According to Graphic Online, Boamah stressed that these disparities need urgent attention, noting that Ghana’s troops deserve fair compensation for their service.
A new approach to funding troop welfare
Boamah proposed the wet lease system as an allowance enhancement plan that permits Ghana to allocate United Nations reimbursements for supplementary resources.
The proposed model will improve the financial support for peacekeepers while giving Ghana the opportunity to invest in upgraded military infrastructure.
He promised Parliament he would bring back detailed reform plans to improve Ghana’s peacekeeping efforts by considering both service conditions and operational performance.
“With your endorsement, I will return to Parliament to brief you on detailed plans for improving our peacekeepers’ welfare,” he told the committee.
Boamah also emphasized the importance of addressing other concerns within the military, including mental health support for personnel and veterans.
Defense technology plays a key role in his strategy alongside armed drones which improve national security capabilities.
The path forward for Ghana’s military reforms
Beyond peacekeeping allowances, Boamah’s vision for Ghana’s military includes policy reforms to ensure regional balance in enlistment and prevent political interference in military recruitment.
He urged that Ghana should continue international peacekeeping operations while establishing fair standards for military treatment.
The military welfare reform campaign of Boamah follows the wider modernization agenda set by President John Mahama’s administration which seeks to enhance both military modernization and defense policy frameworks.
Subject to parliamentary consent Boamah will join forces with military leadership to execute enduring reforms that harmonize personnel welfare with national security priorities.
The promises are likely to turn into actual policy improvements according to the positive signals experienced by Ghanaian soldiers and their military families while the approval progress continues.
The government’s commitment to fair pay and improved conditions for peacekeepers marks a significant step toward ensuring that those who serve Ghana internationally are treated with dignity and respect.
