The National Service Authority (NSA) will pilot a military training programme for at least 10,000 National Service Personnel beginning August 3, 2025, with plans to make it mandatory for all personnel starting next year.

The acting Director-General of the Authority, Felix Gyamfi, said in an interview with JoyNews on #GhanaConnect that the training will instill discipline, patriotism, and a readiness to support national development goals.

He stated that the training aims to prepare young people not just for emergencies and disaster response but also to combat societal challenges like illegal mining, poor sanitation, and environmental degradation.

“We must confront the battle against the cancer of illegal mining (galamsey) and reclaim our lands from environmental degradation. We also have to tackle issues like poor sanitation, malaria, and other public health crises.

"These are not challenges that education alone can solve. They require physical and mental discipline. With this kind of training, young people will begin to show up early, show up on time, and most importantly, show up prepared,” Mr. Gyamfi stated.

According to him, the training will last a minimum of six weeks and will be conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces, with personnel deployed to various military barracks across the country.

Although participation in this year’s pilot will be based on voluntary interest, the NSA expects high demand and will select participants across diverse backgrounds including agriculture, health, and policing.

Mr. Gyamfi stated that next year’s national service cohort will undergo the training as a mandatory component, possibly integrated into the service calendar.

“If not all service personnel undergo the military training this year, it will be mandatory for everyone starting next year. The program will likely begin earlier, and during the service period, personnel will be called up for six weeks of training.“