210 Unqualified Candidates Identified in Military Academy Audit
The Ministry of Defence has uncovered widespread irregularities in recent admissions to the Ghana Military Academy, prompting the cancellation of the current intake and the announcement of a new national recruitment exercise set for August 2025.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, July 21, 2025, the Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, revealed that an internal audit into Regular Career Courses 64 and 65, as well as Short Service Course 62, flagged 210 out of 452 candidates as unqualified. This represents nearly 46 percent of candidates admitted.
Course 64 Trainees Face Withdrawal If Requirements Aren’t Met
Dr Boamah explained that 34 unqualified candidates already undergoing training in Course 64 have been given a final opportunity to fulfil all enlistment requirements. Those who fail to meet the criteria will be withdrawn.
For Course 65 and Short Service Course 62, where training had yet to begin, the identified candidates have been removed outright from the process.
Thousands of Recruits Delayed Since 2021 Also Affected
The Minister further disclosed that 2,872 non-officer recruits, who completed all enlistment requirements in October 2021, have also had their admissions nullified. These recruits, despite completing documentation, medical screenings, and vetting, never commenced training due to a prolonged intake freeze at the Army Recruits Training School, which hasn’t run any sessions for 17 months.
Read Also: New U.S. Immigration rule: All Visa applicants to pay $250 integrity fee
Dr Boamah noted that due to the delay, many of these recruits may now fall short of the current medical, fitness, or age standards required for enlistment.
Nationwide Recruitment in August with Digital Portal
To address the issue, the Ministry will launch a new nationwide recruitment exercise in August 2025. Dr Boamah announced the introduction of a digital enlistment and recruitment portal designed to enhance transparency, ensure merit-based admissions, and minimise fraud.
Public Caution Against Recruitment Fraud
The Defence Minister issued a stern warning against fraudulent enlistment schemes, urging Ghanaians not to pay any intermediaries for recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
“Joining the Ghana Armed Forces under President Mahama’s administration will be based solely on merit, not money,” he affirmed.
Dr Boamah encouraged the public to report any suspected cases of recruitment fraud to the relevant authorities.
