The Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has inaugurated the 4th Governing Board of the Veterans Administration Ghana (VAG), pledging sweeping reforms to uplift the welfare of Ghana’s military veterans.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra, Dr. Boamah acknowledged the harsh realities facing many former service members, including limited access to healthcare, financial hardship, and social exclusion.

"Many of our gallant heroes struggle to access quality healthcare, face financial insecurity, and suffer social isolation," he said. "It’s disheartening that those who risked their lives for Ghana now battle to afford basic necessities."

To tackle these long-standing issues, the Minister announced a comprehensive five-pronged approach aimed at transforming veterans’ welfare across the country:

Healthcare Access
Expansion of the Mahama Cares Initiative to provide specialised medical care for veterans.

Financial Security
Allocation of direct funding from the Defence Industries Holding Company (DIHOC) to support veterans’ needs.

Post-Service Livelihoods
Introduction of skills training, continuing education, and employment opportunities to help veterans reintegrate into the workforce.

Social Reintegration
Launch of community-based programmes to tackle social isolation and promote inclusion.

National Recognition
Establishment of formal channels to honour and celebrate the sacrifices made by veterans.

“As Minister, I am committed to ensuring that those who served receive the dignity they have earned,” Dr. Boamah stated, urging the new board to place the welfare of veterans at the heart of its agenda.

The newly inaugurated 4th Governing Board of the VAG has been tasked with:

Leading critical policy reforms to address veterans’ needs

Ensuring transparent and effective use of resources

Collaborating closely with the Ministry of Defence to fast-track support initiatives

Ghana’s veteran community has long advocated for improved pensions, healthcare, and housing.

The Defence Minister’s announcement comes amid growing national concern over the conditions under which many veterans live.

The VAG, under the renewed leadership of its new board, is expected to become the central vehicle for delivering meaningful reforms and long-term support.

The 4th VAG Board is expected to convene within 14 days to develop a detailed operational roadmap to implement the new initiatives.