On Thursday, April 2, 2026, as the latest batch of over 500 military recruits settled into their six-month training program, a senior Physical Training Instructor (PTI), identified as Instructor Twumasi, issued a stern directive regarding religious practices within the training school.
Addressing the recruits during an orientation session, PTI Twumasi asserted that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) training environment is designed to maintain a specific order, which includes recognizing only two primary religious faiths for organized worship.
The "Two Religions" Directive
The instructor’s remarks focused on the need for uniformity and the avoidance of "uncommon" religious distractions during the rigorous training period:
Permitted Faiths: Twumasi stated that the training school would officially recognize and provide space only for Islam and Christianity.
Restriction on "Uncommon" Practices: He emphasized that any other religious or spiritual practices—often categorized as "uncommon" or traditionalist—would not be permitted within the training camp premises.
The Rationale: While the GAF is a secular institution representing a religiously pluralistic Ghana, training instructors often enforce strict "standardization" rules to prevent sectarian divisions and ensure recruits focus entirely on their physical and tactical drills.
Official GAF Religious Structure
The directive from PTI Twumasi aligns with the GAF’s established administrative structure, which heavily prioritizes the Chaplaincy and Imamate:
Directorate of Religious Affairs: The GAF maintains an active Directorate of Religious Affairs that oversees the spiritual welfare of personnel, but its official staffing is limited to Christian Chaplains and Muslim Imams.
Recruitment Requirements: The 2025/2026 recruitment notice specifically called for religious officers who are either ordained Christian ministers with a degree in Theology or recognized Muslim Imams with a degree in Islamic Studies.
National Parades: Traditional religious practices are generally excluded from official military parades and thanksgiving services, which are typically held as joint Christian-Muslim events, such as the End-of-Year Religious Parade held in December 2024.
Recruitment Progress (April 2026)
| Category | Detail |
| Total Recruits | Approximately 2,000 (across 4 batches). |
| Training Start | March 27, 2026. |
| Duration | 6 Months. |
| Official Religions | Christianity and Islam (per Directorate policy). |
“We would entertain only two religions at the training school, Muslims and Christians. No other uncommon religious practices will be allowed here.” — PTI Twumasi.
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