Former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has alleged that proposals by some Members of Parliament from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to review the maximum recruitment age for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) are part of a plot by President John Dramani Mahama to fulfil a campaign promise to recruit NDC loyalists into the security services.Ghana travel guide
Speaking on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Monday, October 13, 2025, Dr. Boakye-Danquah claimed that calls by the Majority Chief Whip and MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, and Minister for Communication, Digital Innovation and Technology, Sam Nartey George, to raise the maximum recruitment age to 30 years are politically motivated.
“I am deeply troubled that President Mahama wants to fulfil a particular campaign promise that he gave, which is the fact that when he was campaigning to become president of the Republic of Ghana, he said, and the evidence is there, that when he wins, he will recruit children of his political party to come into the security system. He said this at Tamale Stadium,” Dr. Boakye-Danquah alleged.
He further rejected the MPs’ proposal, arguing that the current age requirements for military recruitment are appropriate for maintaining health and fitness standards.
“We don’t have any problem whatsoever with our current system. The reason why you have people aged either under 20 or 25 going through military training and recruitment is because they have very minimal health risk, they have very minimal exposure to other external influences, and they are very healthy,” he explained.
“They are either not addicted to other social vices — either drinking, smoking, or any of this — and if you pick people who are above 30, the risk is high they either have issues with low and high blood pressure, they have some addiction issue, they have interacted too much with society,” he added.
Sam George and Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor have both publicly advocated for a review of the current recruitment age limit, arguing that it unfairly disqualifies capable and physically fit Ghanaians in their 30s.
Mr. Dafeamekpor has also hinted at legal action against the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) if it fails to review the existing maximum age requirement for enlistment.
Source: CitiNewsroom
