How To Apply For The Ghana Armed Forces
Who is an armed force in the defence of Ghana? An armed force in the defence of Ghana is a member of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), which is the unified military organisation of the country. The GAF consists of three main branches: the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. Its primary role, as mandated by Ghana’s constitution, is to defend the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, with the President as its Commander-in-Chief.
What are the requirements needed to apply for the in Ghana armed forces ?
To apply for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), you must meet several general eligibility criteria, as well as specific requirements based on the type of role you’re applying for. These requirements can change with each recruitment drive, but typically include:
Citizenship and Character:
You must be a Ghanaian citizen by birth and of good character.
Age:
The age limit varies. For non-tradesmen, the age range is typically between 18 and 25 years. For tradesmen, the age limit is 27 years. For the Ghana Military Academy, the age for regular cadets is between 18 and 26
Not married
(applicable to Regular Cadets only)
Health and Fitness:
You must be medically fit to Armed Forces standards and must pass a pre-joining fitness test. The GAF will disqualify applicants with certain conditions like tattoos, double piercings, bowed legs, or flat feet.
Height:
There are minimum height requirements, which can vary depending on the specific branch of service. For general roles, males must be at least 1.68m (5’6″) and females must be at least 1.57m (5’2″). For Military Police, the minimum height is higher: 1.75m (5’9″) for males and 1.70m (5’7″) for females.
Educational Qualifications:
The educational requirements depend on the type of enlistment.
For Recruits/Non-Tradesmen: You generally need six credits at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), including English and Mathematics. You also need six passes (not below Grade C6) at the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or the requisite qualifications from the Ghana Education Service (GES) at the Intermediate or Advance Level.
For Officer Cadets:
A minimum of a first degree, not below a second-class lower division, is often required. The specific degree and course of study will depend on the branch and role you are applying for (e.g., engineering, nautical science, administration).
How To Apply For The Ghana Armed Forces:
Purchase Electronic Voucher:
Obtain an Electronic Voucher from a designated post office. The cost is GH¢350.00.
Online Application:
Use the voucher to access the recruitment portal and submit your application online.
Supporting Documents:
You’ll likely need to provide copies of your Birth/Baptismal Certificate, Educational/Professional certificates, and recent passport photographs.
Hard Copies:
Submit hard copies of your application and supporting documents to the designated address (e.g., Academic Registry of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College).
Scanned Copies:
Submit scanned copies of your application documents as well, usually to a designated email address.
- Specific Career Paths:
Regular Career Officer Candidates (Army, Navy, Air Force): Requires a first degree and specific subject requirements depending on the branch.
Short Service Commission: May have different requirements depending on the branch.
Recruits/Ratings: Joining guides exist for specific roles within the Navy, including Boatswains Mate, Radar Plotters, and Wireless Telegraphist.
- Important Notes:
Closing Date: Pay close attention to the application deadlines.
Contact: For inquiries, you can contact the GAF recruitment team or designated personnel.
Stay Informed: Follow the official GAF website and social media pages for updates and announcements.
What are the Fees scheduled for undergraduate students in the Ghana armed forces ?
Below is a rough estimate of fee schedule for a civilian university
University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) — Undergraduate (2024/2025):
Academic Facility User Fees (AFUF): approx. GH₵825
Other University Charges: approx. GH₵1,390
Attachment/Training Levy (varies): GH₵150–450
Total: GH₵2,215–2,665 depending on faculty/program
ubids.edu.gh
University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) — LLB (2024/2025):
AFUF (full): GH₵11,737 (50% installment option available)
Miscellaneous Fees: GH₵310–660
Total: up to GH₵12,397 (or USD 5,000 + GH₵360–660 for additional levies)
What are the works of the Ghana armed forces ?
National Defence and Security:
The primary role of the GAF is to protect Ghana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This includes:
Protecting Ghana from external aggression by land, sea, and air.
Providing internal security in collaboration with other security agencies to maintain law and order, and protect the lives and property of citizens.
Conducting maritime patrols to deter piracy and smuggling, and protect Ghana’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Guarding the nation’s airspace and providing air support to the Army and Navy.
Enhancing national security preparedness against threats like terrorism and other crimes.
International Peacekeeping Operations:
Ghana is a highly respected and long-standing contributor to international and regional peacekeeping missions. The GAF has a long history of deploying personnel to conflicts around the world, particularly under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In this role, Ghanaian peacekeepers perform a variety of duties, including:
Patrolling and serving as military police.
Monitoring ceasefires and providing humanitarian aid.
Serving as de-miners and electoral observers.
Participating in special forces operations against insurgents.
Support to Civil Authority:
Beyond its military and peacekeeping functions, the GAF also plays a vital role in supporting civil authority and national development. This includes:
Disaster relief and humanitarian assistance during national emergencies.
Search and rescue operations for maritime and aviation incidents.
Supporting national development by providing essential services like healthcare (e.g., through military hospitals) and assisting in the construction of infrastructure like roads and bridges.
Engaging in aerial reconnaissance and photography to support various civil projects.
Providing security for vital national assets and industries, such as the oil and gas sector.
Sources
Infrastructure Development:
The 48 Engineer Regiment builds and maintains roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure.
Involved in rural water projects, sanitation improvements, and construction for public institutions.
Engages in civic education, public discipline campaigns, and environmental protection programs.
Medical Services:
Runs the 37 Military Hospital (one of Ghana’s major hospitals).
Provides medical care to both military personnel and civilians, including during health crises like COVID-19.
What are the salaries of the armed forces in Ghana?
Ghanaian Armed Forces salaries vary significantly by rank, with recruits earning around 1,000–1,500 GHC monthly, enlisted soldiers up to 3,000 GHC, and junior officers starting from 3,500–4,000 GHC. Senior officers, such as Generals, can earn around 9,000 GHC, while Glassdoor reports a broader range for an Army Soldier of 3,000 to 68,000 GHS annually. Official salary scales are determined by a Council of Ministers’ decision, and specific pay and allowances are detailed in legislation.Â
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