This is the time of year true friends check on each other and find out their ‘how far’ as they say. Completely absent-minded I called my nephew Eric and said I was on my way to his office only to be told.

‘I am no longer at the Ministries. I have been Reset, and currently at home.’ The word Reset, originally well intended has acquired such a bad odor, people take to their heels hearing reset drums in the neighborhood.

Labor Day greetings are tricky; you never know whether your neighbor is grinning to celebrate his new job; or on a Labor Day, groaning to cope with labor pains.

While scanning various cases countrywide I came across the biggest reset this Labor week: the nation’s Chief Justice who should normally be settling labor disputes, has herself been reset to idle at a Departure Lounge. School children have been told Justice Gertrude is only under suspension.

Among adults, it is known she is at the Departure Lounge. A successor has already been named, nicknamed as ‘Acting.’

But he was last seen dancing in church and thanking the good Lord for kind mercies. For those who knew the youthful days of His Lordship Baffoe-Bonnie, his recent ‘dance moves’ betray his past as an Okpo mate of Mensah Sarbah Hall.

For security reasons, however let me say the good old Justice was well behaved in his student days. Our worry being that if appointed, his date of birth entitles him to only a one-and-half-year tenure as Chief Justice, and those ready with welcome greetings should be prepared to add, ‘Farewell, brand new Chief Justice.’

It is notable however that Getty’s suspension and planned sendoff, has brought several concerned groups to their feet, looking desperately for any grave sins she committed. For once a public opinion poll hurriedly concocted by a mercenary pollster reports a 70% public approval of Her Lordship’s dismissal. That was perhaps inspired by an imaginary mandate in the Constitution such as: ‘The Chief Justice shall be removed by a swift opinion poll across the nation;’ clearly an irrational attempt to trivialize the fourth highest position of the Land.

Unpersuaded, civil society groups are up in arms this week to save the neck of Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, and preserve the dignity of the judiciary: the almighty Trade Union Congress, the Minority in Parliament, the Ghana Bar Association, and others. These are flying protest flags ready to hit the streets to avert a national disgrace. Together with one dissenting voice on the Council of State, the clarion call is ‘JM, Touch not the Anointed.’

The reasons are not hard to find. Justice Gertrude is on record as Ghana’s third Female CJ since independence. Should the axe fall, she would be the first dismissed CJ since 1963, when Nkrumah booted out His Lordship Justice Ako Korsah for acquitting suspects in a major murder trial.

The Second and Third Republics saw no such dismissal; and here comes this setback as Ghana’s democracy deepens and the 4th Republic hits the 33rd milestone.

The planned ousting amounts to terrorism on womanhood, the vulnerable, the judiciary, and a stain on that vision that has gifted Ghana the first female Vice President.

Since independence in 1957, Ghana has produced only 12 females out of a total of 89 justices of the Supreme Court, a dismal 13.5% female participation; and here comes this fresh wound meant to humiliate a 62-year old Chief Justice, and mother.

My own lay experience of a judicial disaster that would have triggered a dismissal was 1995: the historic drama on the appointment of Justice I. K. Abban as Chief Justice. The renowned Abban, earlier reputed as a stubborn Electoral Commissioner, received a baptism of fire when as CJ he erroneously jailed a newspaper columnist inserting a new page in his judgment, to balance the equation. The GBA was up in arms challenging Abban’s appointment due to a proven lack of integrity. Happily, my ubiquitous pen chronicled the event those days. Listen to my write hand, February 1995.

‘At the time of departure, the Ghana Bar Association was feverishly looking for red bands with which to bury Justice Abban as Chief Justice. They were going on a sympathy strike in support of the jailed columnist, Mensa Bonsu, and to boycott the courts.

If Abban is watching, he must have realized that he has mounted a throne which may turn out to be more problematic than the Veep’s. The real drama, however, will start if the GBA decides to take the Chief Justice to court.’

Yes the GBA took the matter to court, but failed to have the CJ removed.

The current attempt based on more trivial allegations should fall on deaf ears if Ghana seeks a respectable judiciary. Our President Mahama currently treads on slippery grounds and will not be spared by posterity should he opt to humiliate womanhood to consolidate power. There is every good reason guidelines in the formation of public committees are carefully worded. The golden clause, ‘at least one of whom must be a woman,’ is not a mere cliché. But Justice Torkonoo an astute Judge with formidable credentials is not simply ‘one of whom.’

Listening to a public lecture she gave at a Central University event last year, was breath of fresh air. As child of a teacher she experienced elementary education on various turfs: Tema, Suhum, Winneba, Ajumako, and being a whiz kid, skipped P5. To seal it all, Gertrude attended Motown.

Ask the sages, how many homes ever survived that flippantly sold off the Mother Hen?

Hands off Gertrude.

JM, Touch not the Anointed!

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

The National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has criticised the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) ongoing nationwide tour.

He described it as a calculated and “desperate effort by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to revive his political career following the party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections.”

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, Mr. Gyamfi dismissed the NPP’s characterisation of the tour as a “thank you” gesture to supporters. According to him, the tour lacks sincerity and is simply a veiled campaign strategy intended to rebrand the former Vice President ahead of the NPP’s upcoming presidential primaries.

“What the NPP is currently doing is not a thank you tour. What is happening is just a desperate attempt by Dr. Bawumia to revive his political career after leading the NPP to its most embarrassing political defeat. That is what is happening,” he stated.

He accused the NPP of mobilising its entire party machinery to support Dr. Bawumia to grant him an unfair advantage over other aspirants within the party, particularly those who may be eyeing a leadership bid.

He further criticised Dr. Bawumia for attempting to dissociate himself from the Akufo-Addo administration, despite serving as Vice President and head of the government’s Economic Management Team for eight years.

“Just look at who they’re meeting—party executives, not ordinary Ghanaians. And what are they saying? Are there any thank you messages? No. All we hear is Bawumia playing Pontius Pilate—blaming everyone else for the defeat but himself,”

“So for me, what is happening is a charade of a thank you tour,” he added.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

The tragic death of Nigerian light heavyweight boxer Gabriel Aluwasegun Olanrewaju, popularly known as “Success,” during an international bout at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Saturday, March 29, has cast a long shadow over Ghana’s boxing landscape.

The 40-year-old fighter collapsed in the third round of his scheduled eight-round contest against Ghanaian opponent Jonathan Mbanugu, during Match Night 15 of the Bel 7Star Ghana Professional Boxing League. He was later pronounced dead. A subsequent pathology report revealed the cause of death as cardiac arrest.

A Wake-Up Call for the Sport

In an article published on April 4, I analysed the tragedy as a wake-up call for Ghana’s boxing fraternity and broader sports governance institutions.

The piece addressed how a lack of adherence to internationally recognised medical protocols may have contributed to the unfortunate incident, a scenario that underscores the need for urgent reforms in Ghana’s boxing ecosystem.

Globally, boxing is governed by strict ethical and medical standards designed to safeguard fighters before, during, and after bouts. These are enforced by organisations such as the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Organisation (WBO), and various national boxing commissions. Unfortunately, our systems in Ghana have too often failed to mirror these standards.

What Standard Practice Looks Like

Medical evaluation protocols in professional boxing follow a three-phase model:

1. Pre-Contract Medical Evaluations: These are carried out before any bout is confirmed. If a boxer fails at this stage, the fight contract is not signed.

2. Training Camp & Pre-Fight Medicals: Continuous assessments are conducted throughout the training period. These include cardiovascular screening, bloodwork, neurological tests, and more.

3. Fight Week & Fight Night Protocols: During fight week, boxers undergo final medical checks, including weight management assessments, hydration status, and heart and brain evaluations. On fight night, medical personnel must be on standby ringside, equipped for emergency response, including a thorough examination of a

4. boxer who has suffered a severe knockout.

If a boxer fails any stage of this rigorous process, the fighter is either withdrawn from the card or, in high-profile bouts, the entire event may be postponed.

The Road Ahead

Gabriel Olanrewaju’s passing should serve as more than just a moment of mourning, it must be a turning point. Ghana must now commit to a systemic overhaul of its boxing safety protocols.

This includes mandatory compliance with international medical standards, better pre-fight screening, and the licensing of only facilities and promoters who can guarantee the health and safety of fighters.

One tragedy is one too many. The question now is whether the stakeholders, regulators, promoters, trainers, and health professionals are ready to act before history repeats Richard Harrison receives medical attention in the dressing room after

Getting stopped in round 2 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Rockford, Illinois.

Rethinking Medical Protocols in Ghanaian Boxing

Following a thorough analysis of the prevailing conditions and practices within Ghana and across Africa, this article calls for urgent and uncompromising adherence to medical and safety standards in boxing.

The tragic death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Olanrewaju on March 29 is a sobering reminder of boxing’s inherent dangers, where head trauma, physical exhaustion, and undetected health conditions can lead to fatal outcomes.

While it is believed that Olanrewaju’s death was caused by cardiac arrest, the incident underscores a larger issue: the inconsistencies and gaps in pre-fight medical protocols.

In Ghana and much of Africa, fighters are often not subjected to comprehensive health assessments. Routine procedures such as neurological and cardiovascular evaluations, physical fitness checks, and drug testing for banned substances are either inconsistently applied or absent.

Call to Action

This tragedy should serve as a turning point. It is now imperative for government agencies, the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), promoters, trainers, and medical professionals to elevate their commitment to fighter safety.

Boxers must not be allowed to step into the ring without the highest level of medical clearance and assurance.

Key recommendations for reform include:

• Training & specialisation of sports doctors, particularly in combat sports medicine.

• Establishment of a dedicated Sports Medicine Unit within the GBA or the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

• Mandatory advanced medical screening before a fight contract is approved.

• Enhanced ringside medical readiness, with fully equipped personnel and ambulances.

• Tighter regulation of matchmaking and fighter selection, ensuring fairness and physical parity.

A Prompt and Positive Response

Remarkably, just a day after this call to action gained national traction, the Ghana Boxing Authority issued a firm directive titled “Submission of Fight Contracts Two Weeks Ahead of Fight Nights.”

The directive mandates that all fight contracts and match pairings be submitted well in advance, clearly signalling that the era of business-as-usual is over.

The message was direct: Ghana’s boxing landscape must change, and the GBA is ready to lead that charge.

If the right lessons are taken from this tragedy, then Gabriel Olanrewaju’s untimely death will not be in vain. It could be the catalyst that finally compels the industry to put fighter safety before spectacle.

From Tragedy to Transformation: GBA Acts After Boxing Death

Though a quick read of the Ghana Boxing Authority’s (GBA) initial directive may reveal it lacked some of the technical depth expected in a professional regulatory framework, it nonetheless signals a critical shift in attitude.

As the adage goes, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, and even a late start is better than no action at all.

Killing Two Birds with One Stone

The GBA’s first circular following the tragic March 29 boxing fatality was more than just a call for adherence to mandatory medical standards.

It also tackled one of the most persistent irregularities in Ghanaian boxing, the last-minute inclusion of unprepared or unvetted fighters onto match cards.

In a firm tone, the GBA declared that “no fights will be allowed to be added to the already submitted fight pairings on the day of weigh-in and medical check-ups.” Only bout contracts submitted within the stipulated deadline will be permitted.

This move, although long overdue, is a welcome step toward restoring discipline and professionalism in match preparations.

Action No. 2: “We Mean Business”

Ten days later, the GBA followed up with a second circular, this time, more detailed and deliberate.

The Authority outlined a checklist of strict compliance requirements for promoters and stakeholders before any fight night can be approved. These include:

• License copies of all boxers scheduled to fight

• Full payment of official GBA fees

• Submission of verifiable medical reports, including a signed “fit to box” certificate

• Proof of purse payments for each boxer

Additionally, in a progressive step to bolster ringside safety, the GBA announced arrangements for mandatory ECG (electrocardiogram) screenings on weigh-in day. Promoters are expected to bear the cost of ¢600.00 per boxer for this service.

A Glimmer of Reform

These actions, though reactive, reflect a newfound commitment by the GBA to put boxer safety and regulatory compliance at the heart of Ghana’s boxing revival. They are a response not only to public outcry following the death of Gabriel Olanrewaju, but also to decades of lax oversight in the sport.

While there is still a long way to go, the GBA’s recent moves provide a glimmer of hope that Ghana’s boxing authorities are finally prepared to move beyond rhetoric and into meaningful, enforceable reform.

If sustained, these steps could reshape the sport’s future, making Ghana a respected model for safety, professionalism, and integrity in African boxing.

GBA Releases Comprehensive Medical Protocols Ahead of Fight Nights

New mandatory health regulations & timeline.

In a decisive step to raise medical standards in Ghanaian boxing, the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has released a detailed circular titled “Mandatory Pre-Fight Medical Examinations and Timeline, Upcoming Sanctioned Bouts.” The directive, issued six days after earlier reforms, outlines critical health screening protocols and timelines that must be adhered to before any fight night is approved.

Signed by Dr. Eric Tetteh Ayertey, a designated GBA Medical Doctor, the two-and-a-half-page document underscores the Authority’s “unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of health and safety for all athletes.” It sets forth clear medical requirements and cost implications, warning stakeholders that non-compliance could lead to disqualification or removal from scheduled bouts.

Comprehensive Medical Screening Protocols

1. Annual/Baseline Medical Clearance to be completed at least 7 days before the bout

Test Estimated Cost (¢) Validity

Ophthalmologic (Retinal) Examination 250.00 3–6 months

Brain Imaging (CT/MRI) 500.00–1,000.00 1–3 years

Urinalysis 123.00 1–3 months

Pregnancy Test (Females only) 30.00–50.00 7 days before the bout

Medical Certificate Issuance 100.00 Current competitive year

Total Estimated Cost: 1,003.00+ Depending on the case base

2. Mandatory Pre-Bout Physical Medical, to be conducted 24–36 hours before the fight, usually on weigh-in day

Test Estimated Cost (¢) Validity/Timing

ECG (12-lead resting) 200.00 3 months

Full Blood Count (FBC) 123.00 7–10 days before the fight

Hepatitis B/C, HIV Test 313.00 3 months

Vitals (BP, HR, Temp, Weight) 20.00 24 hrs before the fight

Neurological & Physical Exam 80.00 24 hrs before the fight

ENT & General Inspection 140.00 24 hrs before the fight

Medical Certificate 100.00 On weigh-in day (1-year validity)

Total Estimated Cost: 986.00 Per boxer

Execution and Enforcement

Medical tests must be conducted at GBA-accredited centres, namely Accident & Emergency Labs and The Central Lab at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Final reports are to be submitted to the GBA Medical Directorate no later than 48 hours before the fight. The directive makes it clear: failure to meet these timelines will lead to automatic disqualification of the boxer from the event.

This updated policy not only signals a historic turning point for Ghanaian boxing but also affirms the GBA’s resolve to ensure that every fighter enters the ring with a clean bill of health, reducing the risk of preventable tragedies in future sanctioned bouts.

The Price of Safety: Financial Implications of New Medical Standards

Implementing stricter medical protocols in Ghana boxing has come at a cost, literally. A rough estimate of the expenses involved in meeting the newly announced Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) health requirements pegs the total at 2,589 cedis (approximately USD 182) per boxer.

This figure, although still short of the comprehensive international standards discussed in my earlier article, has already sparked considerable anxiety across the boxing community.

For many boxers, trainers, and promoters operating in an underfunded sport with minimal sponsorship and low public turnout, this new financial burden threatens participation.

While the GBA’s directive is a step in the right direction for safeguarding lives in the ring, the economic implications risk sidelining aspiring talents due to a lack of systemic support.

The Financial Impact of Ghana Boxing Authority’s New Medical Directive

The unintended consequences have already begun to manifest. Two sanctioned fight nights in April were disrupted.

The first was the Box Office Sports Promotion bill slated for Sunday, April 20. Just three days prior, it was postponed due to a minor injury to one of the headliners.

In a notable departure from past practice, where such setbacks would often be concealed until post-fight analyses, the affected boxer urged promoter Alex Ntiamoah Boakye to reschedule. The fight has since been moved to May 10.

The second event, hosted by Nana’s Promotions on Friday, April 25, went ahead but not without drama. Spectators endured a four-hour delay as the GBA board insisted on full compliance with the new protocols.

According to ring announcer Mohammed Amin Lamptey, the Authority refused to compromise on the thorough medical vetting. Of six originally scheduled bouts, only five made it to the ring.

While reactions have varied, one thing is clear: Ghana must never again witness a preventable tragedy like the March 29 incident that took the life of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Olanrewaju, simply because critical protocols were overlooked.

The GBA deserves credit for standing firm, but the responsibility must now be shared.

The government, particularly the Ministry of Youth and Sports, must act urgently to support this reform. This includes funding for medical screenings, specialist training in sports medicine, and infrastructure development to meet international safety standards.

Ghana boxing is at a crossroads. We can either invest in a safer, sustainable future or continue to gamble with lives in the name of sport.

By Peter Quao Adattor

The blood of a US man who deliberately injected himself with snake venom for nearly two decades has led to an “unparalleled” antivenom, say scientists.

Antibodies found in Tim Friede’s blood have been shown to protect against fatal doses from a wide range of species in animal tests.

Current therapies have to match the specific species of venomous snake anyone has been bitten by.

But Mr Friede’s 18-year mission could be a significant step in finding a universal antivenom against all snakebites – which kill up to 140,000 people a year and leave three times as many needing amputations or facing permanent disability.

In total, Mr Friede has endured more than 200 bites and more than 700 injections of venom he prepared from some of the world’s deadliest snakes, including multiple species of mambas, cobras, taipans and kraits.

He initially wanted to build up his immunity to protect himself when handling snakes, documenting his exploits on YouTube.

But the former truck mechanic said that he had “completely screwed up” early on when two cobra bites in quick succession left him in a coma.

“I didn’t want to die. I didn’t want to lose a finger. I didn’t want to miss work,” he told the BBC.

Mr Friede’s motivation was to develop better therapies for the rest of the world, explaining: “It just became a lifestyle and I just kept pushing and pushing and pushing as hard as I could push – for the people who are 8,000 miles away from me who die from snakebite”.

‘I’d love to get my hands on some of your blood’

Antivenom is currently made by injecting small doses of snake venom into animals, such as horses. Their immune system fights the venom by producing antibodies and these are harvested to be used as a therapy.

But venom and antivenom have to be closely matched because the toxins in a venomous bite vary from one species to another.

There is even wide variety within the same species – antivenom made from snakes in India is less effective against the same species in Sri Lanka.

A team of researchers began searching for a type of immune defence called broadly neutralising antibodies. Instead of targeting the part of a toxin that makes it unique, they target the parts that are common to entire classes of toxin.

That’s when Dr Jacob Glanville, chief executive of biotech company Centivax, came across Tim Friede.

“Immediately I was like ‘if anybody in the world has developed these broadly neutralising antibodies, it’s going to be him’ and so I reached out,” he said.

“The first call, I was like ‘this might be awkward, but I’d love to get my hands on some of your blood’.”

Mr Friede agreed and the work was given ethical approval because the study would only take blood, rather than giving him more venom.

The research focused on elapids – one of the two families of venomous snakes – such as coral snakes, mambas, cobras, taipans and kraits.

Elapids primarily use neurotoxins in their venom, which paralyses their victim and is fatal when it stops the muscles needed to breathe.

Researchers picked 19 elapids identified by the World Health Organization as being among the deadliest snakes on the planet. They then began scouring Mr Friede’s blood for protective defences.

Their work, detailed in the journal Cell, identified two broadly neutralising antibodies that could target two classes of neurotoxin. They added in a drug that targets a third to make their antivenom cocktail.

In experiments on mice, the cocktail meant the animals survived fatal doses from 13 of the 19 species of venomous snake. They had partial protection against the remaining six.

This is “unparalleled” breadth of protection, according to Dr Glanville, who said it “likely covers a whole bunch of elapids for which there is no current antivenom”.

The team is trying to refine the antibodies further and see if adding a fourth component could lead to total protection against elapid snake venom.

The other class of snake – the vipers – rely more on haemotoxins, which attack the blood, rather than neurotoxins. In total there are around a dozen broad classes of toxin in snake venom, which also includes cytotoxins that directly kill cells.

“I think in the next 10 or 15 years we’ll have something effective against each one of those toxin classes,” said Prof Peter Kwong, one of the researchers at Columbia University.

And the hunt continues inside Mr Friede’s blood samples.

“Tim’s antibodies are really quite extraordinary – he taught his immune system to get this very, very broad recognition,” said Prof Kwong.

The ultimate hope is to have either a single antivenom that can do everything, or one injection for elapids and one for vipers.

Prof Nick Casewell, who is the head of the centre for snakebite research and interventions at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said the breadth of protection reported was “certainly novel” and provided “a strong piece of evidence” that this was a feasible approach.

“There is no doubt that this work moves the field forwards in an exciting direction.”

But he cautioned there was “much work to do” and that the antivenom still needed extensive testing before it could be used in people.

But for Mr Friede, reaching this stage “makes me feel good”.

“I’m doing something good for humanity and that was very important to me. I’m proud of it. It’s pretty cool.”

(Seated from L) Dr Dzoboku, Gabriel Kwamigah-Atokple, and James Gunu during the meeting

Together with the Managing Director of the Republic Bank Ghana, Dr Benjamin Dzoboku, the Council of State Member representing the Volta Region, Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, have initiated steps at exploring opportunities, through the bank, for the people of the region interested in agricultural initiatives.

This was after the two prominent personalities paid a courtesy visit on the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Sharing the update of their visit on his Facebook page, Kwamigah-Atokple stated that the goal is to boost the local economy.

He, however, indicated that these moves will also require some urgent financial inputs; something they are working hard towards.

“I joined the Managing Director of Republic Bank Ghana, Dr Benjamin Dzoboku, on a courtesy visit to the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu. The visit aimed to explore opportunities for the bank to support agricultural initiatives in the region, with the goal of boosting the local economy to improve standard of living.

“During our engagement, the minister outlined several pressing initiatives that require urgent financial support, particularly in the areas of agricultural mechanization and rice production in the Tongu and Ketu North, and northern belts of the region,” he stated.

On his part, the Managing Director of the Republic Bank, Dr Dzoboku, expressed the bank’s eagerness to support these initiatives and “to develop tailored financial products that drive local investment and development.”

The leaders thereafter made another stop at the Ho Teaching Hospital, where they gave assurances of support for the facility’s healthcare needs.

“Following the meeting with the Minister, we proceeded to the Ho Teaching Hospital to conduct a needs assessment. The Managing Director expressed the bank’s willingness to support the hospital by addressing some of its basic healthcare needs.

“It is worth recalling that I was part of the launch of Republic Bank in the Volta Region earlier this year. The bank’s early and consistent commitment to the progress of the region is commendable and deeply appreciated,” Gabriel Kwamigah-Atokple added.

See his full post below:

AE

 The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) will from this month commence the general release of the first batch of soldiers who have competed their authorised years of service in ac­cordance with GAF regulations.

This would involve the general release of personnel of the 1995 and 1996 year groups who had completed their 30-year service and had fully attained the compul­sory retirement age.

The announcement of the general release of the soldiers was contained in a press state­ment issued and signed by the Acting Director General Public Relations, GAF, Captain (Ghana Navy) Veronica Adzo Arhin and copied The Ghanaian Times on Thursday.

“The Ghana Armed Forc­es (GAF) wishes to formally announce to the general public that it will resume general releases of Soldiers who have completed their authorised years of service in accordance with GAF regula­tions. General releases of Soldiers in GAF was suspended 5 years ago in line with CI 129, which extended their terms of office for an additional 5 year,” the state­ment said.

“Consequently, the first batch of general releases after the 5-year suspension will com­mence in May 2025. This will involve the honourable release of distinguished personnel of the 1995 and 1996 year groups after successfully completing 30 years of meritorious service or having fully attained the compulsory retirement age in line with GAF Regulations,” it added.

According to GAF, the release of subsequent year groups would continue on completion of their services, following the resumption of the release of soldiers who had completed their authorised years of service after its suspension five years ago.

Furthermore, GAF acknowl­edged and appreciated the sacri­fices, professionalism, and loyalty demonstrated by the 1995 and 1996 year groups throughout their career.

The GAF said that the com­mitment to duty by the 1995 and 1996 year groups under very challenging conditions, has been instrumental in safeguarding the sovereignty and stability of the country and enhanced global peace and security.

“The Chief of the Defence Staff, on behalf of the Command­er-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces expresses his sincere thanks to them for their selfless and meri­torious service to GAF in particu­lar and the country in general; and also, to their beloved families for their unwavering support. He wish­es them the best in all their future endeavours,” the statement added

 BY TIMES REPORTER