Member of Parliament for Assin South, Ntim Fordjuor, has sharply criticized suggestions from some government officials and lawmakers to increase the maximum enlistment age for the Ghana Armed Forces.
His comments follow recent calls by Communications Minister Sam George and Majority Chief Whip and Avant-Garde of Government Business Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, who argued that Ghana should reconsider its upper age limit for military recruitment.
In a post on social media on October 8, Sam George said, “I honestly believe it is time for our beloved nation to re-examine the maximum age for enlistment into our military services. I believe an upper limit of 35 years would serve our young people better.”
He was later supported by Dafeamekpor, who cited examples from other countries with higher recruitment ages, adding, “So in Ghana, we can extend our age limit to say 35 years or even 40 years depending on medical fitness and non-combatant roles. We need new ways of doing things.”
However, Ntim Fordjuor strongly rejected the proposal, describing it as a “populist and misguided agenda.”
In his own post on X on October 9, the Former Deputy Minister for Education wrote, “Hon Dafeamekpor and those who want to make Ghana Armed Forces dumping grounds for unqualified aged NDC foot soldiers, be guided.”
He further cautioned against politicizing military recruitment, saying, “Otherwise, if the intention is to turn your unqualified party foot soldiers against your government, that’s your own cup of tea.”
Mr. Fordjuor noted that the Ghana Armed Forces already have flexible recruitment categories that allow for older applicants depending on their specialization.
“If you only read, and paid attention to GAF recruitment and enlistment requirements, you would have realized that qualified persons 30–35 years old are eligible to apply for enlistment into relevant regiments and brigades in Ghana.”
“This practice has been there for years, it has nothing to do with your populist calls,” he said, describing the push for a uniform age cap as ‘backward and dangerous’.
In response, Sam George posted again on X, saying, “The logic espoused by my friend and colleague is so rich that I am lost for words.”
Ntim Fordjuor fired back soon after, insisting that the MPs’ proposal was an attempt to smuggle unqualified individuals into the armed forces.
“Hon Sam George and Hon Dafeamekpor’s call for unqualified overage NDC foot soldiers into the military is a misconceived and misguided populist agenda,” he said.
He added that it is backward and dangerous for the NDC to force unqualified people into the military as a ‘reward for party patronage’.
He also urged them to refrain from meddling in the established processes of the Ghana Armed Forces.
“Stop the undue interference in the creditable and professional recruitment process underway by the Ghana Armed Forces,” he warned.
“We will not allow this government to turn it into NDC Foot Soldier Forces. Create jobs for your aged party foot soldiers. Ghana Armed Forces is a no go area,” the MP stressed.
Currently, the Ghana Armed Forces maintain distinct age limits depending on the category of applicants. General enlistment requires candidates to be between 18 and 25 years old. Tradesmen and tradeswomen must not exceed 27 years, while professionals such as engineers, doctors, and other specialists can apply up to the age of 30.
