A record 875 army recruits are billed to pass out on Friday, August 29, during a parade at the July 22 Square in Banjul.

Intake 29 is the largest batch of recruits in the history of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) so far and includes 53 females. The recruits were trained for 18 months under the command of Major Saikou Saikhan of the Gambia Armed Forces Training School, at the Guards Battalion in Fajara, Bakau.

President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, who is the commander-in-chief of GAF, is expected to preside over the parade ceremony, which will also be attended by other members of the Cabinet, NAMs, security chiefs and officers, and diplomats, among other dignitaries.

Major Lamin Gano, the spokesperson of GAF, said the batch also includes 156 tradesmen, two of whom are female.

According to Major Gano, the ceremony will be punctuated by a parade, presentation of certificates, and military displays, among others.

Major Gano extended invitations to the friends of GAF, parents and friends of the graduating recruits with the general public being invited to attend the ceremony.