Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
The Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has issued a warning to prospective applicants for the Ghana Armed Forces’ upcoming officer corps enlistment, cautioning them against falling prey to recruitment scams.
Dr. Boamah, in a Facebook post advised the public to be vigilant and avoid individuals promising enlistment slots in exchange for money, emphasizing that the Armed Forces will not tolerate corrupt practices during the recruitment process.
“As the Ghana Armed Forces prepares for the upcoming officer corps ENLISTMENT, I want to remind you to: 1. Beware of scams and avoid paying bribes. 2. Carefully review the eligibility criteria before applying,” he wrote.
The Minister further clarified that recruitment for non-officer ranks—regular soldiers—had not yet commenced, adding that official announcements would be made at the appropriate time. “Regarding soldier (non-officer) RECRUITMENT, rest assured that updates will be shared in due course. Stay informed and vigilant!” he stated.
The Minister’s remarks followed closely on the heels of a press release issued by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), warning the public about fraudulent recruitment schemes being perpetrated by individuals posing as senior military officers.
In the statement, the Department of Public Relations at Burma Camp disclosed that certain fraudsters were exploiting the public by claiming to offer assistance with military enlistment in return for payment. The GAF stressed that no recruitment was currently underway for soldier ranks, although the officer enlistment process—which began last year—was nearing its conclusion.
“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.
It further noted that “any individual or group claiming to facilitate recruitment into the Armed Forces in exchange for money is engaging in criminal activity.”
The Armed Forces called on victims or potential victims of such scams to report the incidents to the nearest police station. The military said it was collaborating with law enforcement agencies to track down and prosecute those involved in the illegal schemes.