Over 2,800 Ghanaian Youth Petition Defence Minister to Restore 2021 GAF Recruitment Process

Accra, Ghana – August 28, 2025 —
More than 2,800 Ghanaian youth have submitted a heartfelt petition to the Acting Minister for Defence, Honourable Atto Baah Forson calling for the reinstatement of the 2021 Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment process. The petition dated August 26, 2025 is a direct appeal for a renewed medical examination following the abrupt cancellation of the recruitment, allegedly due to the expiration of medical records.
In the petition, the youth began by paying tribute to the late Minister for Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah who tragically passed away in a plane crash alongside seven others. They expressed their condolences to the bereaved families and acknowledged Dr. Boamah’s dedication to fairness and national service noting that they had initially hoped to present their plea directly to him.
The group outlined a detailed timeline of their recruitment journey:
June 2021 – Purchased application forms and entered the recruitment process.
July 2021 – Participated in regional documentation exercises at personal cost.
November 2022 – Completed national-level documentation at Burma Camp.
March 2023 – Underwent extensive medical examinations, including referrals.
March 2024 – Successfully completed a six-week vetting process.
At every stage, the petitioners claim they complied fully paid all necessary fees and remained committed to the process. Some candidates, they stated even lost their lives during the long wait never seeing the chance to fulfill their dream of serving Ghana.
According to the petition, the 2021 recruitment process was recently cancelled on the basis that the medical records of the candidates are now over 12 months old. The group argues that this reason while procedural should not invalidate years of effort, expense and national service readiness.
They are now appealing to the Acting Minister to reverse the cancellation and instead order updated medical examinations for affected candidates.
If the only obstacle is the validity of medical records, the fair, reasonable and compassionate solution would be to require updated medical records not to discard years of sacrifice and compliance, the petition reads.
The petitioners cite Article 23 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana which guarantees the right to fair administrative justice. They argue that the cancellation after such extensive compliance, is arbitrary, disproportionate and violates the doctrine of legitimate expectation, given the length and seriousness of the process they’ve undergone.
They also emphasize the principle of proportionality, stating that asking for fresh medicals would be a more appropriate response than nullifying the entire recruitment process.
The petition concludes with two key requests:
Reverse the cancellation of the 2021 GAF recruitment process after vetting and
Allow for fresh medical examinations so the process can continue from where it ended.
We are not just statistics — we are sons and daughters of Ghana ready to defend our country with our very lives, the statement added. We ask you, Honourable Minister to look into our case not only through the lens of law but through the eyes of justice and compassion.”
National Attention
The petition is now gaining attention among civil society groups and on social media where many have praised the youth for their resilience and respectful approach. Supporters argue that the request is not only lawful but morally justified.
With the Defence Ministry yet to respond publicly all eyes are now on Honourable Atto Baah Forson as these hopeful recruits await a decision that could redefine their future and reaffirm the values of justice and fairness within Ghana’s Armed Forces recruitment framework.

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