Rev. Fordjour Criticises NDC MPs’ Call to Raise Military Enlistment Age, Urges Focus on Defence Minister Vacancy
The Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has strongly opposed a recent proposal by two opposition lawmakers to raise the upper age limit for enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). Instead, he is calling on government to urgently fill the vacant position of Minister for Defence, which has remained unoccupied for over a month.
His comments come in response to calls by Sam George, MP for Ningo-Prampram, and Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi, who have publicly advocated for the enlistment age cap to be increased from the current 25 to 35 years, arguing that such a move would expand access for willing and able Ghanaians.
In a sharp rebuttal made during media engagements and shared on his social media channels, Rev. Fordjour described the proposal as “populist, misguided, misconceived, and dangerous”, suggesting it was influenced more by pressure from party foot soldiers than any serious national policy consideration.
“I don’t know any well-intentioned principle they base these calls on,” he said, questioning the underlying logic of the proposal.
The Assin South MP, who is also a Deputy Minister for Education, argued that adjusting the enlistment age without a thorough national security review risks compromising the professionalism and operational efficiency of the armed forces.
Rather than debating enlistment policies, Rev. Fordjour emphasised the more urgent need to appoint a substantive Minister for Defence, noting that Ghana has operated for over a month without one. The position became vacant following the resignation of Dominic Nitiwul due to health reasons in September 2025.
“No serious country would have their Minister for Defence position vacant for a month,” Fordjour stated, describing the delay as a governance lapse with potential security implications.
Security analysts have similarly raised concerns in recent weeks about the absence of a central political figure to coordinate defence policy and oversee military operations, especially amid rising threats in the Sahel region and persistent calls for enhanced border security in northern Ghana.
Rev. Fordjour further highlighted what he described as “severe logistical and resource constraints” affecting the Ghana Armed Forces, urging the government to prioritise adequate financial releases to retool the military and support its operational capacity.
“They are suffocating… the first call they must make is for their government to retool them and give them funds to meet their critical logistical needs,” he added.
Recent reports by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior have acknowledged that the GAF continues to face shortages in critical areas such as equipment, mobility, accommodation, and welfare. In the 2024 budget cycle, the Ministry of Defence was allocated GH¢2.3 billion, but a significant portion went toward administrative costs and arrears, with limited disbursement for retooling.
Ghana’s current age requirement for enlistment into the Armed Forces stands at 18 to 25 years, depending on the role and educational qualifications. The NDC MPs proposing the upper limit be extended to 35 argue that many Ghanaians complete tertiary education or acquire essential skills much later in life, and should not be excluded from serving in national security.
In a recent interview, Sam George noted that, “many patriots with specialised skills are being denied entry due to a rigid age cap.” Dafeamekpor added that “the military can benefit from experienced individuals in technical fields who might be older than 25.”
However, military recruitment experts have countered that raising the age cap could affect training efficiency, increase health and physical readiness concerns, and reduce long-term service potential.
In neighbouring Nigeria, for example, the age limit for officer cadet recruitment is generally 22–30 years, while in Kenya, it ranges between 18 and 26. Countries adjust limits based on strategic needs, fitness standards, and force structuring policies.
Rev. Fordjour also expressed worry over what he sees as growing attempts to politicise military recruitment, warning that such interference could erode the discipline, neutrality, and professionalism for which the Ghana Armed Forces are known.
“When politicians start influencing recruitment policies for partisan gain, we put at risk the very fabric of our national security,” he said.
This echoes previous concerns raised by civil society organisations like the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), which has urged political actors to insulate the military from partisan interests to preserve its credibility.
At the heart of this debate is the tension between access and standards in public service recruitment, especially in the security sector. In Ghana, where youth unemployment remains high hovering around 12.1% as of 2023 calls to expand entry criteria for military jobs are politically sensitive.
Yet, balancing job creation, military effectiveness, and non-partisan professionalism is a key test for Ghana’s democracy. The current controversy raises important questions: Should security policy respond to political pressure, or should it remain strictly within the purview of defence experts?
As Ghana continues to face growing regional security threats, including cross-border terrorism and domestic instability, leadership at the Ministry of Defence and sustainable investment in the Armed Forces are critical for national preparedness.
Final Thought
While calls to increase the enlistment age may appeal to wider segments of the population, experts argue that military policy must be guided by strategic needs, not political expediency. With Ghana’s defence leadership currently in limbo, the appointment of a new Defence Minister could serve as a much-needed reset to refocus on readiness, resource allocation, and long-term security planning.
Until then, debates over enlistment policy however well-meaning may serve more as political fodder than as solutions to the Armed Forces’ structural challenges.
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