€Œ12,000 UNIFORMS, 12,000 LIVES

“12,000 Uniforms, 12,000 Lives: What Happens When the Army Becomes a Lifeline?”

A few years ago, I found myself chatting with a childhood friend I hadn’t seen in forever. We were catching up over some painfully sweet street-side ice cream (you know the kind — melts too fast, but hits the spot), and he told me he was thinking about joining the military. Not because he had a lifelong dream of wearing the uniform or going on peacekeeping missions. Nope — he was just tired. Tired of job hunting. Tired of staying home. Tired of feeling stuck.

Fast forward to now, and when I heard that the Ghana Armed Forces is planning to recruit 12,000 youth over the next four years, his story popped back into my head. I thought, “Wow… this is huge.” And honestly, I had mixed feelings.

On one hand, it sounds like a win — jobs, structure, opportunity. In a country where so many young people are hustling without a clear path, this could change lives. I mean, imagine 12,000 people who won’t have to scroll endlessly through job boards, or wake up wondering if their degree was a mistake.

But on the other hand… it also makes me pause. Are we turning to the military because it’s a calling? Or because it’s one of the few doors left open?

Don't get me wrong — I have mad respect for the Armed Forces. The discipline, the sacrifice, the service. It’s not for the faint of heart. But I also can’t help but wonder: Are we doing enough to give young people options? Is the army filling a gap that should be filled by better education systems, more job creation, or actual support for startups and small businesses?

I mean, let’s be real. Not everyone who joins the military necessarily wants to be there long-term. Some just need a stepping stone. A way to stand on their own two feet. A shot at stability. And if that’s what this recruitment drive gives them — then hey, maybe that’s not a bad thing.

I’ve noticed, though, that we sometimes talk about things like this in numbers — “12,000 youth”, “four years”, “economic boost”. But behind each number is a real person. Someone’s brother. Someone’s daughter. Maybe even someone reading this. And for them, this might be the beginning of something big… or just a temporary escape from feeling invisible.

I might be overthinking it (I do that a lot), but I just hope that as we celebrate this move, we also ask the harder questions. Like: Why are so many young people unemployed in the first place? And what happens to those who don’t get picked?

Because yeah, 12,000 uniforms is a big deal. But so is the future of every young Ghanaian looking for more than just a job — looking for a chance.

So I’ll end with this: If you had to choose between security and passion… which one would you pick?