Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister-designate for Defence, has cautioned the public to desist from seeking enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) without the requisite qualifications.
Dr. Omane Boamah issued this stern warning during his vetting by the Appointment Committee of Parliament on January 28, 2025.
Drawing on his experience as a medical professional and understanding of GAF operations, Dr. Omane Boamah warned that bypassing proper recruitment procedures could have severe consequences.
“Knowing the Ghana Armed Forces that I know and from where I sat about 17 years ago, if you succumb to the procedures and rules of engagement and get enlisted, you are likely to suffer. Some recruits even die at training,” he noted. “I will be the first to advise such a person not to do so.”
He also stressed the rigorous GAF training programme for qualified persons and insisted that his administration would ensure that only qualified persons were recruited to join the security services.
He clarified that the meticulous training is aimed at ensuring the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of recruits and maintaining high operational standards.
He further assured that he would always counsel unqualified applicants to reconsider their decisions before bypassing the required process to join the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).