The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has initiated its three-day Documentation and Body Selection Exercise for qualified applicants under the 2026/2027 Enlistment Exercise. This process, which commenced on Monday, September 28, will run until Wednesday, September 30, at designated centres in the Northern and Southern sectors. The exercise marks the next stage of the enlistment process following the closure of the online application portal on September 23, 2026.
According to the Deputy Director Community Relations at the Department of Public Relations, Rita Anane, applicants who have successfully progressed to the documentation and body selection stage are being notified directly by text message. These messages contain information on their designated centres, reporting dates, and other instructions. GAF has directed applicants to report only to their assigned centres and to strictly comply with the instructions contained in their notifications.
For the Northern Sector, the exercise is being held at the 4 Infantry Battalion, Uaddara Barracks, Kumasi, while applicants assigned to the Southern Sector are reporting to designated facilities in Accra. This approach is a significant shift from the previous year's exercise, which was marred by a deadly stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra. The GAF has since implemented measures to prevent a repeat of such incidents.
The latest exercise features several improvements, including controlled access to facilities, organised batches, and supervision by military personnel. A dedicated medical team is also stationed at the centres, alongside officers responsible for document verification and physical assessment. These measures aim to ensure a smooth and safe process for applicants.
During the 2025 screening exercise, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, visited recruitment centres and thanked applicants for adhering to the directives and safety measures introduced by the military. The Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior also toured some of the centres, describing the process as orderly and tranquil.
The GAF has continued to emphasise strict adherence to recruitment instructions. For the 2026/2027 exercise, applicants have been specifically instructed to take note of their assigned dates and venues and to follow only the instructions communicated through official channels. This approach is aimed at preventing a repeat of the circumstances that led to last year's tragedy.
The recruitment process has become more structured, with documentation and body selection forming only one stage of a broader assessment process that includes aptitude testing, medical screening, and vetting. In the 2025/2026 exercise, the GAF issued appointment letters to 2,000 successful applicants after they progressed through the various stages of recruitment. The GAF is urging qualified applicants to rely on official notifications, report at the specified times and venues, and comply with instructions from personnel at the screening centres.
Key points
- The Ghana Armed Forces has implemented enhanced security measures for the 2026/2027 enlistment screening exercise.
- The exercise aims to prevent a repeat of the deadly stampede that occurred during the previous year's recruitment process.
- A total of 2,000 successful applicants were appointed in the 2025/2026 exercise after progressing through the various stages of recruitment.
