Armed Forces Recruitment resumes• 46,124 apply

Frontpage (Lead), Feb 5, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
RECRUITMENT into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), which was suspended last year amidst accusations of impropriety, is to resume next month, the Defence Minister, Lt Gen. J.H. Smith, has told Parliament.
He indicated that 46,124 people had applied to be enlisted by the December 31, 2009 deadline given the exercise which was widely publicised.
The minister told Parliament, however, that only 7,357 applicants met the general eligibility and educational requirements for the recruitment exercise.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkoranza North, Major Derek Yaw Oduro (retd), had asked the minister when the recruitment of new military personnel for 2010 would commence.
The minister explained that invitation letters were being dispatched to shortlisted applicants, saying that would be completed by February 12, 2010.
Lt Gen Smith said candidates who would pass the regional screening exercises on the basis of technical or trade qualifications would be called to Accra for trade tests from March 8 to 19, 2010, adding that those who would pass, including the non-tradesmen, would be called for training after passing a medical examination.
He explained further that it was projected that 800 people would be recruited into the Army, 200 into the Navy and another 200 into the Air Force.
As to whether those whose recruitment was suspended last year would be given priority, the minister declined any comment but stated that every citizen who qualified had the right to apply.
He also indicated that efforts had been made to ensure regional balance and that all applicants who met the required criteria would be offered the chance to serve the country in the GAF.
Answering another question, also posed by Major Oduro, the minister stated that a 482-acre land allocated to the ministry for the construction of accommodation for military personnel had been massively encroached upon, leaving only two acres.
Lt Gen Smith said t the GAF was currently facing very acute accommodation problems which had affected the morale of the troops.
He said the forces, therefore, intended to complete the five prototype buildings which had already been roofed and three other houses which were being constructed to be used to accommodate senior non-commissioned officers.
Responding to further follow-up questions, the minister disclosed that a committee had been formed to come up with recommendations on the encroachment of military land countrywide to enable the ministry to take the necessary action.