Defence Minister warns against recruitment scams ahead of GAF officer corps enlistment

The Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has issued a strong advisory to potential applicants ahead of the Ghana Armed Forces’ upcoming officer corps enlistment, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to recruitment scams.

In a Facebook post, dated June 28, Dr. Boamah emphasized the need for vigilance and transparency, urging applicants not to pay bribes or engage with individuals promising enlistment slots in exchange for money.

“As the Ghana Armed Forces prepares for the upcoming officer corps ENLISTMENT, I want to remind you to:

Beware of scams and avoid paying bribes.
Carefully review the eligibility criteria before applying,” the Minister posted.

He clarified that the recruitment of regular soldiers (non-officers) had not yet commenced and assured the public that official updates would be communicated at the appropriate time.

“Regarding soldier (non-officer) RECRUITMENT, rest assured that updates will be shared in due course. Stay informed and vigilant!” he added.

The Minister’s warning aligns with a recent press release from the Ghana Armed Forces, which cautioned the public against individuals impersonating senior military officers and soliciting money under the guise of helping people secure positions in the military.

“The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to categorically state that there are no recruitment exercises ongoing for soldiers. However, enlistment for potential officer cadets, which began last year, is at its final stages,” the statement read.

The GAF stressed that “any individual or group claiming to facilitate recruitment into the Armed Forces in exchange for money is engaging in criminal activity.”

Victims or those approached by such fraudsters are encouraged to report immediately to the nearest police station. The Armed Forces confirmed ongoing collaboration with law enforcement to clamp down on the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

For authenticity and transparency, the GAF reiterated that all future recruitment notices will be published via official channels, including state-owned newspapers like the Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times.

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