Some National Service Personnel who have applied for the four-week Basic Military Training programme are hopeful the exercise will improve their chances of securing enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces in future recruitment exercises.
The applicants say that beyond their interest in joining the military, they are looking forward to acquiring discipline, patriotism, resilience and other values associated with military service.
Speaking to TV3 during a medical screening at the Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care Centre, the applicants expressed optimism about the opportunities the programme could offer them.
More than 3,000 former National Service Personnel, including about 600 females, have applied to participate in the initiative, which is expected to begin in December 2026.
However, only 2,000 applicants will be selected to undergo the four-week training after completing the screening and selection process.
The medical screening forms the first phase of the selection exercise and involves an assessment of applicants’ medical histories to determine their suitability for the programme.
Director-General of the National Service Authority, Ruth Dela Seddoh, urged the applicants to remain focused and committed throughout the selection process and to prepare themselves for the demands of military training.
She challenged them to approach the exercise with discipline and a willingness to learn, stressing the importance of making the most of the opportunity.
The Ghana Armed Forces has, meanwhile, cautioned applicants against interpreting the programme as automatic entry into the military.
The military explained that the exercise is designed to provide participants with basic military training and exposure to military discipline. Successful completion of the programme does not automatically confer military status on participants or guarantee enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces.
Applicants interested in joining the military will still have to satisfy the requirements and go through the established recruitment processes when opportunities become available.
Despite this clarification, some applicants say the possibility of improving their prospects in future military recruitment exercises remains one of their motivations for participating in the programme.
Others say they are interested in the experience and personal development the training is expected to provide, particularly in building discipline, patriotism, teamwork and a stronger sense of national responsibility.
The initiative is expected to give selected former National Service Personnel an opportunity to experience basic military training while developing values that could contribute to their personal growth and service to the country.
The first batch of successful applicants is expected to report to the designated training school on December 1, 2026, to commence the four-week programme.
