Gov’t to recruit 12,000 into Armed Forces by 2028 – Defence Minister

The Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has announced the government’s plan to recruit 12,000 new personnel into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) over a three-and-a-half-year period, beginning in 2025.

Speaking during the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, July 21, Dr. Boamah said the recruitment drive forms part of efforts to boost the operational capacity of the Armed Forces and support Ghana’s industrialisation and food security goals.

“I am excited to announce that, as has been communicated by the Commander-in-Chief, a

comprehensive enlistment and recruitment exercise is to be undertaken with the view to
increasing the man-power strength of the Ghana Armed Forces. Altogether, we are enlisting and
recruiting Twelve Thousand (12, 000) personnel within the next three and a half years,” he stated.

He revealed that future enlistment exercises would target individuals with specific professional qualifications, including agricultural extension officers, artisans, engineers, and biochemists, to meet the evolving needs of the GAF and contribute to national development initiatives.

The Minister also addressed concerns about over 2,000 potential recruits who were left out during the previous administration despite available vacancies at the Army Recruit Training School.

“I wish to emphasize that the over 2,000 potential recruits who could not undergo training under the previous administration, even though vacancies existed at the Army Recruit Training School, are strongly encouraged to reapply. Provided they still meet all the established criteria. I urge those who will not qualify at this stage not to lose hope,” he stated.

The large-scale recruitment is expected to enhance the country’s security architecture and provide employment opportunities for the youth, while aligning military capacity with emerging national priorities.