The Minister for Communication, Digital Innovation and Technology, Samuel Nartey George, has urged a review of the Ghana Armed Forces’ maximum age limit for enlistment, arguing that the current policy unfairly excludes capable and physically fit individuals in their 30s.
His remarks come amid the ongoing military recruitment exercise, which has sparked public debate, particularly around eligibility criteria such as age restrictions.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Mr. George stressed the need for Ghana to modernise its recruitment policies to reflect current realities and ensure equal opportunities for all willing citizens.
“I genuinely believe the time has come for our nation to reconsider the maximum enlistment age for our military services,” he wrote. “There are individuals in their 30s who are physically fit and ready to serve. Age alone should not be a barrier. Many countries allow enlistment up to later ages. I propose setting the upper age limit at 35, to give more of our youth a chance to serve their country. We should support their aspirations, not hinder them.”
Echoing this sentiment, Majority Whip and MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, also backed the proposal on X.
He mentioned that concerns over the current age cap had been raised by party supporters and pointed to examples from nations such as Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Nigeria, and the United States, where enlistment is allowed well into one’s 30s or even 40s.
“In Ghana, we can reasonably extend the age limit to 35 or even 40, based on medical fitness, especially for non-combatant roles. We must adopt new approaches. For God and Country,” Mr. Dafeamekpor posted.
Both MPs believe that raising the age threshold would not only open up opportunities for more citizens but also strengthen the military with dedicated and experienced recruits.
Their appeal comes as the Armed Forces continue their recruitment drive, fuelling a broader national conversation about fairness, inclusivity, and the need to align military recruitment policies with contemporary security needs.
