By Francis Ahorlu

Copyright vision1fm

The Member of Parliament representing Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has strongly criticized proposals from certain Members of Parliament aimed at raising the age limit for recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

His remarks follow concerns raised by the Minister for Communication, Digital Innovation and Technology, Sam George, along with the Majority Whip in Parliament, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, regarding the existing age restrictions on military recruitment.

Both MPs have proposed that the upper age limit be increased to 30 years or beyond, contending that individuals within this age bracket who are physically fit and mentally sound should not be barred from serving.

In a response to their stance, Rev. Ntim Fordjour characterized their proposal as “misconceived and misguided,” accusing them of attempting to leverage political influence to disrupt the professional recruitment processes of the Ghana Armed Forces.

“Hon. Sam George and Hon. Dafeamekpor’s call for unqualified overage NDC foot soldiers to join the military is a misconceived and misguided populist agenda,” he stated.

“We will oppose any efforts by the NDC to insert their overage foot soldiers into the Ghana Armed Forces. The Ghana Armed Forces is not a repository for overage NDC foot soldiers.”

The Assin South MP further warned against what he termed political interference in the operations of the Armed Forces, cautioning that lowering entry standards for partisan motives could jeopardize professionalism and discipline within the institution.

“NDC Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentary Leadership must understand that it is profoundly regressive and perilous to impose unqualified individuals into the military as a reward for party loyalty. Cease the undue interference in the credible and professional recruitment process currently being conducted by the Ghana Armed Forces,” he concluded.