GAF not a dumping ground for ‘overage foot soldiers’ – Ntim Fordjour

The Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has vehemently opposed the suggestions made by some Members of Parliament to raise the age limit for enlistment in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

His remarks follow concerns raised by the Minister for Communication, Digital Innovation and Technology, Sam George, along with the Majority Whip in Parliament, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, regarding the existing age restrictions on military recruitment.

Both MPs proposed that the maximum age limit be increased to 30 years or beyond, contending that individuals within that age bracket who are physically capable and mentally sound should not be barred from military service.

In a response to their stance, Rev. Ntim Fordjour characterised their proposal as “misconceived and misguided,” accusing them of attempting to leverage political influence to disrupt the professional recruitment processes of the Ghana 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 wrote.

“We will resist every attempt by the NDC to load their overage foot soldiers into the Ghana Armed Forces. The Ghana Armed Forces is not a dumping ground for overage NDC foot soldiers”.

The Assin South MP further warned against what he termed political interference in the operations of the Armed Forces, cautioning that lowering entry standards for partisan motives could jeopardise professionalism and discipline within the institution.

“NDC Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentary Leadership must be made to know that it is extremely backward and dangerous to force unqualified people into the military as a reward for party patronage. Stop the undue interference in the credible and professional recruitment process underway by the Ghana Armed Forces,” he added.