The government is set to introduce short military training as part of the National Service scheme to promote fitness and discipline among young people.

This is part of efforts to strengthen the National Service structure following the passage of the National Service Authority Act 2024 (Act 1119).

Delivering the 2025 State of the Nation Address in Parliament today, President John Dramani Mahama revealed that he has instructed the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, to develop a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to provide a legal framework for the new reforms.

"To achieve a legally robust regime to govern National Service, I have also tasked the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment to coordinate and present to Parliament a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to support the implementation of the newly passed National Service Authority Act 2024 (Act 1119)," President Mahama stated.

The proposed reforms will also introduce short military training as part of the National Service programme, which the President believes will instill discipline and physical fitness in Ghanaian youth.

"We will introduce short military training as part of our national service scheme. This will instill a sense of fitness and discipline into our youth," he added.

National Service programmes, including military or paramilitary training, are implemented in several countries worldwide. According to the World Population Review, around 80 countries, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and China, currently have some form of National Service or conscription.

Some nations, like Russia, enforce mandatory military service, while others operate under a conscription model, requiring individuals to serve for a fixed period without necessarily being deployed for active duty.

In contrast, some countries maintain a de jure system, where military service is legally mandated but rarely enforced. The United States, for instance, retains a draft system in law, though it has not been actively applied in decades.

The introduction of military training into Ghana’s National Service scheme aligns with global trends and is expected to equip young people with valuable skills while fostering a sense of national discipline.