More than 3,000 former National Service Personnel, including about 600 females, have applied to participate in a four-week Basic Military Training programme being introduced to provide young Ghanaians with military orientation, discipline and basic training.
The programme, expected to commence in December 2026, will admit 2,000 successful applicants following a screening and selection process currently underway.
Speaking to TV3, the Director-General of the National Service Authority, Ruth Dela Seddoh, said the first phase of the exercise involves medical screening of all applicants to determine their fitness for the training.
She explained that although more than 3,000 applications have been received, only 2,000 candidates will be selected to participate in the inaugural programme.
According to her, the applicants are individuals who have recently completed their mandatory national service and have expressed interest in undergoing basic military training.
The four-week programme is expected to expose participants to basic military practices, discipline, physical conditioning and the values associated with military service.
The initiative is also expected to provide an opportunity for young people to develop skills and attributes that could prepare them for greater responsibilities, including possible interest in a career in the Ghana Armed Forces.
Mrs Seddoh further disclosed that government is considering making the programme mandatory for National Service Personnel in the coming years.
If implemented, the proposal would represent a significant expansion of the initiative, potentially making basic military orientation an integral part of the national service experience for young Ghanaians.
The decision to introduce the programme comes amid growing discussions about youth development, national discipline and the need to equip young people with practical skills and a stronger sense of civic responsibility.
However, beyond the four-week training period, attention will also be on the opportunities available to participants, particularly whether the programme will create any formal pathway into the Ghana Armed Forces or serve primarily as a national development and orientation exercise.
The outcome of the ongoing screening and the eventual implementation of the programme are therefore expected to provide a clearer picture of government’s broader intentions for the initiative.
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