Former Deputy Defence Minister and Member of Parliament for Atwima Kwanwoma, Kofi Amankwaa Manu, has criticised the current recruitment process for Ghana’s security services, saying he foresaw many of the challenges now emerging and does not envy Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak.
Speaking in an interview on Dwaso Nsem on Adom FM, Manu described the recruitment exercise as poorly structured and warned that without reforms, it could create more problems.
According to him, the growing number of applicants and changes to recruitment requirements have made the process increasingly difficult to manage.
“It is so wrong that with the level we have gotten to, the challenges with our security service recruitment keep getting worse. By now, we should have acknowledged the past challenges and improved on them as the days go by,” he said.
Manu noted that he had previously cautioned about potential difficulties and had even shared his concerns with the Interior Minister.
“Some of us saw the problem coming, and I told my brother Muntaka that I don’t envy him,” he stated.
He questioned how the system could effectively handle such a large number of applicants, noting that 500,000 people reportedly applied, each paying an application fee of GH¢220.
The Atwima Kwanwoma MP also criticised recent changes to recruitment requirements, including the extension of the age limit and adjustments to academic qualifications.
“At first, after 25 years you could not apply; there was a cut-off point and there was a reason for that. But now it has been increased to 35 years because they want to satisfy their bid,” he said.
Manu warned that relaxing the criteria could compromise the quality of personnel recruited into the security services.
“Are we not going to compromise the process?” he asked.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining a proper screening system to manage the high number of applicants.
“Meanwhile, we must have a sieving mechanism so that even if people are to go through, it wouldn’t be too many,” he said.
The former deputy minister further argued that policymakers should listen to constructive advice, cautioning that ignoring concerns could worsen existing challenges.
“But when you advise our brothers in government, they don’t listen, all in the name of super majority,” he added.
He therefore urged authorities to review the recruitment framework to ensure transparency, efficiency, and fairness in selecting candidates for the country’s security services.
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