{
  "id": 19187562,
  "title": "Ambassador Smith calls for compulsory military training to engage Ghana’s youth",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/ambassador-smith-calls-for-compulsory-military-training-to-engage",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T17:53:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/ambassador-smith-calls-for-compulsory-military-training-to-engage-ghanas-youth/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Smith, has suggested that all young people should undergo compulsory military training to improve discipline and curb the growing indiscipline in the country. In an interview on JoyNews, Mr Smith proposed that school-leavers should participate in military training for up to two years to instill discipline and keep them productively occupied.\n\nThe Ambassador argued that keeping idle youth engaged in structured activities could help tackle social issues such as corruption and idleness. \"The devil finds work for idle hands. So we put them in the military training; they’re not idle anymore,\" he said. Smith also proposed revitalizing the Workers’ Brigade, which previously engaged young people in agriculture and paid them for their work. Under his plan, the military training would be government-supported, with participants undertaking assigned activities and receiving structured opportunities. Mr Smith emphasized that participation should be compulsory and linked to the National Service Authority, providing a pathway into employment after the training period.",
  "summary": "Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Smith, has proposed compulsory military training for young people as part of efforts to promote discipline and address what he describes as growing indiscipline in the country. Speaking in an interview on JoyNews, Mr Smith suggested that young people leaving school should undergo military training for up to two years to instil discipline and keep…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Ghana’s negotiations with Boeing over national airline nearing completion – Victor Smith",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/ghanas-negotiations-with-boeing-over-national-airline-nearing",
        "published": "2026-11-09T18:07:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}