Did you extend service years for NPP loyalists? – Dafeamekpor jabs Ntim Fordjour

The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has taken a swipe at the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee over his remarks, suggesting that calls to review the maximum age limit for military recruitment are intended to ‘allow average NDC foot soldiers into the military’.

According to Dafeamekpor, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) government increased the maximum service years for junior officers in the Ghana Army, allowing them to retire at 60 years instead of 55 years.

Military Recruitment: ‘Party foot soldiers not happy’ – NDC gurus demand adjustment to age limit

He questioned why similar considerations cannot be extended to younger individuals seeking to join the military, suggesting that Rev Ntim Fordjour was being hypocritical.

“Hon Rev Ntim Fordjour, your conclusion in this matter, is a lousy one without engaging the issues. But let me ask you this: as the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament now, and as a Deputy Minister of State just last year, when your NPP govt increased the Maximum Service years for the Other Ranks (Junior Officers) of the Ghana Armed Forces from 25yrs to 30yrs such that now they retire at 60yrs instead of 55yrs, was it to allow average NPP foot Soldiers to remain in the Army? Don’t be so unguarded,” he wrote on X on October 9, 2025.

Dafeamekpor, who is also the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, said that other countries have reviewed and raised their age limits for military recruitment while keeping strong military forces.

He wondered why the same cannot be done in the country.

“Point is that, I have meticulously provided data of how 20 different Armed Forces in other jurisdictions have transitioned and yet maintained military strength. I am only asking that the NPP policy of having to extend the upper ceiling for years of service for other ranks from 25yrs to 30yrs be also applied to enlarge the ceiling for entry from 25yrs to 30yrs or more subject to medical fitness,” he said.

He insisted that such reviews should be considered, but only after medical fitness tests of the individuals.

“I insist, subject to a medical fitness test though, that, what a 25yr old can do in training at Bundase, a medically fit 26yr old can do same or better at Achiase. I maintain, again subject to a medical fitness clearance, that, we have no regulatory or statutory justifications to tell a 26 or a 30yr old Ghanaian SHS or Technical School Graduate that s/he cannot join the Ghana Armed Forces to perform non-combatant duties like a Cook, Haberdasher, Driver, Bandsman, Mechanic etc,” he maintained.

‘Ghana Armed Force not for overaged party boys’ – NPP MP to NDC lawmakers

Dafeamekpor’s post was in response to remarks attributed to Ntim Fordjour by Accra Based GH One which quoted saying, “calls by Sam George and Dafeamekpor to review age restriction for military enlistment are to allow average NDC foot soldiers into the military”.

MAG/VPO

Meanwhile, watch highlights of Ghana’s 5-0 win over Central African Republic in the World Cup qualifiers