460 Ghanaians are in the British Army

Ghanaians account for the fourth largest recruits in the British Army. With 460 Ghanaians in the British force, the figure is exceeded only by recruits from Fiji, Jamaica and South Africa.

In a desperate effort to fill gaps in its ranks, the British army relies heavily on overseas recruits, writes the Daily Mail of 14 August 2004. According to the newspaper, foreigners, especially from the Commonwealth, account for some 10 per cent of the Army's total strength of just over 100,000.

The paper quotes a warning from military analysts that “the growing reliance on non-British soldiers 'was unsustainable'.” Commonwealth citizens can join the Army and receive the same pay and conditions as their British counterparts.

The figures given per country are as follows Fiji – 1,815 Jamaica – 925 South Africa – 560 Ghana – 460 Grenadine – 285 St Lucia – 220 Australia – 80 Kenya – 75 New Zealand – 70 Canada – 65 Gambia – 65 Malawi – 60 Grenada – 45 Nigeria – 45 India – 40 Sierra Leoene – 30 Uganda – 25

Other countries included in the list without any figures being assigned include Antigua & Barbados, Bangladesh and a host others.