The Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, has inaugurated the new Governing Board of the Veterans Administration, Ghana (VAG), at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence.
During the event, the Minister presented a cheque of One Million, Four Hundred and Fifty-Two Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS 1,452,000.00) to support the operations and welfare programmes of the Administration.
The 12-member Board is chaired by Rear Admiral Peter Kofi Faidoo (Rtd) and is made up of a mix of retired senior military officers and former warrant officers.
The members include Air Commodore Thomas Niifio Okai, Brigadier General Charles Gbekle, Brigadier General Seidu Mumuni (Rtd), Brigadier General Nicholas Kwami Kporku (Rtd), Colonel John Wilberforce Kweku Asabre (Rtd), Group Captain Seth Fianya (Rtd), Major Christine Naa Adoley Oko (Rtd), Captain John Kwame Jabari (Rtd), and Ex-Warrant Officers Class One William Koku Akpakli, Moses Amoah Nyarko, and Abukari Issaka. All members took the Oath of Office, Oath of Secrecy, and Oath of Allegiance.
Speaking on behalf of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Dr Boamah congratulated the newly appointed Board members and expressed confidence in their ability to steer the Veterans Administration toward meaningful impact.
He commended Ghanaian veterans for their loyalty and sacrifice, both in local service and international peacekeeping efforts.
The Minister acknowledged the many difficulties that ex-servicemen and women face, particularly in the areas of healthcare, pension delays, and economic hardship.
He noted that the government remains committed to improving the lives of veterans through stronger financial systems, employment support, access to quality healthcare, and the institutional recognition of their service to the nation.
Dr Boamah urged the new Board to take a proactive role in promoting veterans’ welfare beyond their administrative duties.
He encouraged the pursuit of innovation, development of partnerships with private sector stakeholders, and active collaboration with the Ministry of Defence to establish impactful initiatives that benefit veterans and the families of those who have died in service.
In a brief response, Rear Admiral Peter Kofi Faidoo (Rtd) expressed the Board’s gratitude to the President and the Minister for the trust reposed in them.
He assured that the Board would execute its mandate with professionalism and a strong sense of responsibility, placing the needs and dignity of Ghana’s ex-service personnel at the forefront of its agenda.
