Accra, Dec. 18, GNA - The Madina Branch of the Veteran Association of Ghana (VAG) has appealed to the Government to increase the ration, risk and operational allowances components of their monthly pension to reflect the present-day economic reality.

Ex-WO I Lawrence Owusu, Branch Chairman, who made the appeal at an end-of-year get-together organised for members in Madina at the weekend, said the low allowances paid them was putting a stress on them. He informed the gathering that 81 retired soldiers have joined the Branch bringing the total numerical strength to 938 with 30 retired Commissioned- Officers.

A minute's silence was observed for 20 members, who died in the course of 2006.

Some members were presented with awards for their meritorious service to the branch.

The Director of Veterans Affairs of the Ministry of Defence Burma Camp, Group Captain Fred Twum-Danso (rtd); the Regional Chairman of VAG Ex-WO I Ofoe Kwame; Madina District Police Commander, Superintendent Afriyie Sakye and Madina District Crime Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Baffour Apenteng. Later in an interview with the GNA, Ex-WO I Owusu expressed regrets that only a few of the Commissioned-Officers attended their meetings and observed that they did not even attend the funerals of their retired colleagues. He appealed to them to always endeavour to attend meetings and reiterated that their meetings were held every second Sunday of the month.

The Branch was formed in 1981.