Kennedy Agyapong says recruitment is a show and real soldiers are already selected
Ghanaian politician and businessman Kennedy Agyapong has criticized the military recruitment process in Ghana, claiming that the military recruitment is a show and that the real soldiers are already selected behind closed doors. His remarks follow the tragic incident at the El Wak Sports Stadium, where several young applicants reportedly lost their lives during a Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise.
Speaking in an interview, Kennedy Agyapong alleged that the recruitment exercise is not as transparent as it appears. According to him, those who are meant to join the army have already been chosen through political connections and favoritism, while the ongoing recruitment process merely serves as a performance to deceive the public.
“This recruitment exercise is a show,” he stated firmly. “Those who are truly joining the army are selected long before these public exercises begin. The young people struggling at the stadium are risking their lives for nothing.”
Kennedy Agyapong went on to express his disappointment in the system, describing it as unfair and manipulative. He claimed that the application process, which includes form purchases, screenings, and interviews, is merely a formality designed to maintain the illusion of opportunity for ordinary citizens. He emphasized that such a practice undermines public trust and wastes the energy and hope of the nation’s youth.
He further pledged that if given the chance to serve in higher office, he would ensure that all recruitment processes—especially those within the security services—are reformed to prioritize transparency, fairness, and meritocracy. “Every Ghanaian who qualifies should have an equal chance without political influence,” he said.
His statement has reignited a national debate over recruitment practices in public institutions, particularly in the armed forces. Many Ghanaians, especially young job seekers, have voiced similar frustrations over perceived bias and corruption in public sector recruitment. Civil society organizations have also renewed calls for the government to review and audit the entire process to restore public confidence.
Following the tragedy at El Wak, where overcrowding and disorganization reportedly led to the deaths of several applicants, questions have been raised about crowd control, safety, and accountability. Critics argue that such incidents could be avoided if the recruitment process were truly transparent and conducted with proper oversight.
Kennedy Agyapong’s remarks have therefore added pressure on the government and the military leadership to investigate both the incident and the broader recruitment structure. His criticism reflects a wider concern that favoritism and nepotism have infiltrated national institutions meant to serve citizens equally.
Social commentators believe his statement could influence future policy discussions about reforming the country’s security service recruitment processes. They argue that public trust in national institutions can only be rebuilt through openness, transparency, and a genuine merit-based system that rewards competence rather than connections.
The military recruitment is a show comment has also sparked significant discussion on social media, with many users expressing support for Agyapong’s stance. Others, however, have cautioned that such claims should be investigated thoroughly before conclusions are drawn. Regardless, his remarks have once again brought the issue of fairness and accountability in recruitment to the forefront of Ghana’s political conversation.
As the government faces growing scrutiny, many citizens are watching to see whether these allegations will lead to real reform. For the families of those affected by the El Wak tragedy, justice and change remain the ultimate goals.
