At the Army Recruit Training School in Shai Hills, Ghana, 646 newly trained infantry soldiers completed their six-month training with a formal pass-out parade. Brigadier General Edward Awaribey, the General Officer Commanding Southern Command, addressed the recruits, cautioning them against misusing their uniforms for land guarding and debt collection. This warning is part of a broader effort to address a persistent problem in Ghana where soldiers have been hired by private individuals or landowners to intimidate rivals in land disputes or strong-arm debtors.
The pass-out parade marked the end of the Basic Infantry Training Course 1-26 (BITC 1-26), which the recruits underwent over six months at the Shai Hills facility. Brigadier General Awaribey commended the recruits for their resilience and commitment throughout the demanding programme. He reminded them that passing out was only the beginning of their military careers and urged them to embrace continuous learning, humility, and strict discipline as they move into active service.
In addition to the warning on land guarding and debt collection, Brigadier General Awaribey cautioned recruits against involvement in personal disputes while in uniform. He also advised them to exercise care in their use of social media to avoid compromising operational security and to stay clear of illicit substances. The General Officer Commanding emphasized the importance of upholding discipline, integrity, courage, and loyalty to the Constitution as core values guiding their service in the Ghana Armed Forces.
The ceremony recognized recruits and units that stood out during training. Recruit Ebenezer Akwasi Midorse was named the overall best recruit, taking both the Chief of the Army Staff's Award for Overall Best Recruit and the award for Best in Tactics. Recruit Sarah Nyarkowaa Twum was adjudged the Overall Best Female Recruit and received the Chief Staff Officer's Army Headquarters Award.
Other individual honours were awarded to Recruit Stephen Atendana Solomba, recognized as Best in Drill, and Recruit Alfred Asare Koranteng, who received the Commander, Army Training Command's Award for Academic Excellence. At the company level, Kamina Company was named Overall Best Company after winning both the cross-country and steeplechase competitions.
The warning against land guarding and debt collection is a significant issue for ordinary Ghanaians, as cases of uniformed personnel involved in violent land disputes or debt-recovery operations outside their lawful mandate have been a recurring source of public concern. By addressing this issue directly at a pass-out parade, military leadership signaled that discipline on this front is being emphasized from the start of a soldier's career.
The pass-out parade and subsequent deployment or postings of the 646 graduates will be closely watched, given the military's efforts to address issues of discipline and public perception. No further timeline for deployment or postings has been given in the available reports. The Ghana Armed Forces have taken steps to address these issues, which have periodically triggered public outrage and internal disciplinary action in recent years.
Key points
- The Ghana Armed Forces warned 646 new soldiers against land guarding and debt collection during their pass-out parade at Shai Hills.
- The recruits completed a six-month infantry training course at the Army Recruit Training School in Shai Hills.
- The ceremony recognized outstanding recruits and units, with Recruit Ebenezer Akwasi Midorse named the overall best recruit.
