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The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Mathew Quashie, has disclosed that Government has released funds for the settlement of Earned Dollar allowances to be paid to Ghanaian troops serving on United Nations Peace Support Operations (UNPSO). He said a new system had also been put in place to check the delays in the payment of the Earn Dollar allowance to Ghanaian Peacekeepers. The CDS made this known to troops at a durbar held for personnel drawn from 1 and 5 Garrisons, at the Burma Hall on Wednesday 26 November, 2014. The CDS disclosed Government was aware of the numerous challenges facing the Armed Forces and as such plans were far advanced to provide the basic needs of GAF. Adding, it was his duty to ensure that GAF is provided with the requisite logistics. Vice Admiral Quashie said GAF would soon upgrade the level of its equipment in all peacekeeping theatres to the standard required by the UN. He added this would enable the country draw full reimbursement under the UN Wet Lease System. The strength of Ghanaian troops serving with the UN in Southern Sudan and DR Congo were also to be increased. On the expansion of GAF, the CDS said plans were underway to establish military units in every region in the country. He hinted that a total number of 2000 persons would be enlisted into GAF in 2015 and 2016. In line with command policy of ensuring that personnel leave a fulfilled live while serving with the colours and on retirement, GAF he said was going to set up a bank to serve the interest of personnel. The bank he said would make housing mortgages available to personnel to aid their resettlement since it was a major problem service personnel faced when they retired. According to the CDS, challenges such as fuel shortage, accommodation, uniforms and sewage facing troops would soon be resolved. Vice Admiral Quashie used the platform to congratulate the 1988 and 1989 year groups who would begin their terminal leave on 1 December 2014. He praised them for their hard work and dedicated service they rendered to GAF for the past 25 years and wished them the best in their future endeavours. Present at the durbar were the Service Chiefs, Formation Commanders, senior officers and the Forces Sergeant Major. SIGNED E AGGRREY-QUASHIE Lieutenant Colonel Acting Director Public Relations