The Ghana Armed Forces is undergoing a sweeping reform in its recruitment process, following revelations of systemic irregularities in past enlistment exercises.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, made this announcement during the July 21, 2025, edition of the Government Accountability Series.
Dr. Boamah emphasized that the military must be a force grounded in “excellence, integrity, opportunity, and national integration,” while lamenting that this ideal had not always been upheld.
He recounted disturbing findings from a recent audit that exposed fraudulent entries into the Ghana Military Academy.
“When I assumed office as Minister for Defense, I instituted an inquiry into the enlistment of would-be officers. 452 Ghana military academy hopefuls… were enlisted into the Ghana military academy for the regular career course, 64 and 65. Short service course intake 62 revealed that 210 out of 452, 46% did not meet the eligibility test.
“For the regular career, core 64, who are currently in training, the audit pointed to some 34 trainees who side-stepped one or more of the stages of the enlistment process. Ladies and gentlemen, it was difficult sending them home since they had been in training for almost one year.”
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
Despite their failure to meet standards, these individuals were not immediately dismissed due to the potential consequences of releasing well-trained, yet improperly admitted, youth back into an already volatile sub-region.
Dr. Boamah stated they would be allowed to continue training “provided they fulfill all criteria”—otherwise, they would be released.
Thousands Cleared As Military Recruitment Audit Deepens
Adding to the irregularities, Omane Boamah revealed that individuals affected in the RCC 65 and Short Service Course 62, who had not yet reported for training, were officially removed from the process.
Of the initial 452, only 150 regular and 75 short-service recruits were cleared for upcoming training cycles, while the 34 in training were given a chance to regularize their admission.
The Defence Minister drew attention to the last non-officer recruitment exercise, which took place in October 2021.
An audit found that 2,872 qualified recruits had completed every requirement—documentation, medical exams, and vetting—but were never invited for training.
Surprisingly, the Army Recruit Training School had not trained any recruits in the last 17 months, despite its capacity to train up to 3,000 annually.
“Knowing that even healthy people die during military training, how can we rely on laboratory tests conducted years ago or over six months ago to recruit? How can we rely on body selection and fitness tests conducted years ago to inform recruitment decisions now? Additionally, with the passage of time, many have exceeded the age limit.”
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
He emphasized the intense and grueling nature of military service, portraying it as a profession requiring unwavering commitment from all recruits.
In this demanding vocation, enduring physical hardship and emotional struggles is expected as part of the journey, but quitting at any point is never considered an acceptable option.
Ghana Armed Forces Plans 12,000 Soldiers In Recruitment Drive
A comprehensive recruitment drive is now in motion. Dr. Omane Boamah announced the government’s intention to bring in 12,000 new soldiers over the next three and a half years.
This effort aligns with national goals of industrialization, food security, and infrastructure development. Future recruitment efforts will focus on candidates with specialized qualifications—such as agricultural extension officers, engineers, artisans, and biochemists.
The Defence Minister stressed that all future enlistments under President Mahama’s administration would be based strictly on merit, not financial influence.
He added that “we seek to train soldiers who will not be in haste to provide guard duties for unauthorized persons. That era is over.”
He issued a stern warning to the public about recruitment fraud. The Ghana Armed Forces has not authorized any individuals, organizations, or institutions to conduct enlistment on its behalf.
Omane Boamah encouraged citizens to report impostors to law enforcement agencies and avoid engaging with so-called agents.
The Ministry of Defence is also set to improve the Ghana Armed Forces’ recruitment and enlistment portal, ahead of the manpower enhancement program slated for August 2025.
Boamah urged qualified individuals among the previously sidelined 2,872 recruits to reapply if they still meet the necessary criteria.
For those who may not qualify, he reassured them that alternative job opportunities would emerge under the 24-hour economy being introduced.
Through these robust reforms and transparent processes, the Ghana Armed Forces aims to rebuild public confidence and elevate its reputation as a disciplined, professional, and inclusive institution.
