Ghana Armed Forces to recruit 12,000 youth over four years - Defence Minister

The Ghana Armed Forces is set to recruit 12,000 young Ghanaians over the next four years as part of a new nationwide enlistment programme aimed at expanding the country’s military strength and offering job opportunities to the youth.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah on Wednesday, June 19, 2025.

He said the programme is designed to support national security efforts while responding to the growing concerns of youth unemployment.

“This nationwide exercise has been approved by President John Mahama,” Dr Boamah noted in a Facebook post.

“Get ready for a career of service and pride. Make sure you’re medically fit before applying, as the training is intense.”

Dr Boamah urged prospective applicants to prioritise their health before applying, pointing out that military training is demanding and not suited for the medically unfit.

“I worked at the 37 Military Hospital for five years. People have died during military training. You’ll be expected to abandon all forms of normal life,” he cautioned.

Although exact application dates are yet to be released, the Ghana Armed Forces generally conducts recruitment exercises once each year, often between August and October.

The process involves purchasing a scratch card, completing an online application, and going through various screening stages, including medical, academic, and physical fitness tests.

Dr Boamah indicated that the new programme would be rolled out in phases, with about 3,000 personnel expected to be recruited each year. This makes it one of the largest planned intakes by the Armed Forces in recent years.

He also warned the public to be wary of fraudsters and unauthorised persons who claim to have influence over recruitment.

The Armed Forces has consistently urged applicants to use only official channels and report any attempts at bribery or manipulation.