In the ever-colourful theatre of Ghanaian politics, a single statement can travel faster than a trotro in an empty lane. This week, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, stirred public conversation with a remark that was as humorous as it was deeply reflective: “If all 500,000 become police officers, where will they find thieves to arrest?”

Now, to the casual listener, this may sound like a simple joke thrown into a political gathering to lighten the mood. But anyone familiar with Chairman Asiedu Nketia knows that beneath the humour often lies a serious message waiting to be unpacked. The man has a way of wrapping wisdom in satire, the same way our grandmothers wrapped bitter medicine in honey.

The facts themselves are telling. Nearly 500,000 young Ghanaians reportedly applied to join the Ghana Police Service, yet government resources can only absorb about 5,000 recruits this year. If that statistic alone does not provoke reflection about youth employment and national planning, then perhaps the Chairman’s humorous question will.

In essence, the statement highlights an important truth: a nation cannot function if everyone chooses the same path. Imagine a Ghana where half a million citizens suddenly wear police uniforms. Who then becomes the teacher to educate our children? Who grows the maize and cassava that end up on our tables? Who builds our roads, heals our sick, designs our technology, and drives our businesses?

In such a scenario, the police might eventually find themselves directing traffic for goats and chasing chickens across empty markets.

This is precisely the deeper point the Chairman appears to be making. A thriving nation depends on economic diversity. Security institutions are important, but they are only one piece of the national puzzle. The strength of any economy lies in the variety of professions and industries that keep the wheels of productivity turning.

There is also another layer of wisdom hidden in the remark. If society successfully creates opportunities for its citizens eg. jobs, businesses, skills training, and innovation. When that is highly achieved, the number of people tempted to commit crime naturally declines. In that sense, the best way to reduce crime is not simply to recruit more police officers but to build a society where people are productively engaged. It is preventive development rather than reactive policing.

Chairman Asiedu Nketia, known widely for his grassroots approach to politics, has built a reputation as a leader who speaks plainly and without unnecessary decoration. He says things as they are, sometimes with a touch of humour that leaves people laughing first and thinking later. That is the mark of a seasoned political communicator.

Of course, in today’s political climate, some observers, especially those in opposition may be tempted to search for hidden controversy in every sentence spoken by government or figures close to government. But a mature democratic society must rise above the temptation of petty political propaganda.

Opposition politics, at its best, is not about twisting statements for headlines or creating noise where none exists. It is about providing constructive criticism, proposing practical alternatives, and strengthening democratic accountability.

In this particular case, the Chairman’s remark should be seen not as an attack on aspiring police officers but as a humorous reminder that national development requires balance, planning, and realism. Governments must recruit security personnel responsibly, based on budgetary capacity and national needs, while simultaneously expanding opportunities across other sectors of the economy.

After all, a country cannot be policed into prosperity.

Ultimately, the comment reflects a deeper philosophy, the true measure of progress is not how many officers we recruit, but how many citizens we empower to live productive and dignified lives. When the economy works for the people, crime naturally becomes the exception rather than the norm.

And perhaps that is the real joke behind the Chairman’s statement: in a well-developed society with abundant opportunities, the police might indeed struggle to find thieves to arrest. Would that not be the best problem any nation could ever have?

More than 3,000 applicants are expected to participate in the exercise in the region as they seek to progress to the next stage of recruitment.

A visit by Obrempongba Owusu of Adom News to the recruitment centres in Dambai revealed a smooth and well-organized process, with applicants provided with refreshments, including water and soft drinks.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Gyapong commended President John Dramani Mahama for decentralizing the police recruitment process to various regions, including Oti, noting that the move has made the exercise more accessible and efficient.

“The process has been more orderly than in previous years,” he said, attributing the improvement to better arrangements, such as the provision of water, snacks, and other amenities to ensure the comfort of applicants.

The Regional Minister also encouraged applicants to continue learning and preparing, stressing that the upcoming examination remains a key hurdle in the recruitment process.

Meanwhile, some applicants who spoke to Adom News described the exercise as the smoothest they have experienced and expressed optimism about successfully joining the Ghana Police Service to serve the nation.

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Speaking during an inspection of the exercise in Goaso, DCOP Annor told Adom News that the process has been designed to be flexible and applicant-friendly. He assured that officers conducting the exercise have been trained to treat all 2,914 applicants in the region with respect, ensuring a smooth and transparent process.

He also advised applicants who have not yet received text messages for their screening to revisit their recruitment portals and verify their details to participate in the exercise.

Meanwhile, the Kyidomhene of Kenyasi No. 1, Nana Kwabena Ofori, who observed the exercise alongside applicant Bernard Abeko, commended the Ghana Police Service for organizing a well-structured and incident-free process.

They described the exercise as free, fair, and among the most transparent recruitment processes in the history of the Ghana Police Service.

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The exercise, which officially began on Monday, is being conducted at Jubilee Park, the main centre for the Bono Region.

According to the Bono Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Thomas Akeela, the first phase of the recruitment targets applicants with medical qualifications, as well as degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders, including skilled workers.

He explained that this initial phase is scheduled to end on Wednesday, after which the next phase will begin for applicants with West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) qualifications.

Chief Inspector Akeela assured that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure a smooth and orderly process, emphasizing that the current exercise differs from previous ones. He noted that the police administration has introduced new arrangements to prevent overcrowding at the screening centres, ensuring the safety and comfort of all applicants.

He further urged parents and applicants to trust the process and advised applicants to check their mobile phones for messages regarding the next stage of the recruitment exercise.

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The exercise commenced on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the Police Training School in Patasi. It targets applicants with medical qualifications, degree and HND holders, as well as skilled workers.

The first phase of the screening is expected to end on Wednesday, after which applicants with WASSCE qualifications will be screened.

Speaking to Adom News, the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Godwin Ahianyo, disclosed that about 2,000 applicants have so far been screened. He assured the public that adequate measures have been put in place to prevent overcrowding at the centres.

According to him, applicants have been notified via SMS of their specific date, time, and screening centre. They may also verify their details on the C-SERP portal, including whether they fall under the morning or noon group.

Applicants scheduled for the morning session are to report by 7:00 a.m., while those in the noon group must report by 12:00 noon. Failure to comply with the assigned schedule could result in disqualification.

Applicants are required to report to the screening centres with both original copies and photocopies of the following documents: application summary report, biometric birth certificate, Ghana Card, JHS certificate, two passport-sized photographs, and all relevant educational certificates.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command reiterated that only qualified applicants are permitted to take part in the screening exercise, warning that anyone who flouts the procedures will face the full rigours of the law.

The recruitment exercise is being conducted at 12 centres across Accra, with six centres operational on the first day. Authorities have implemented measures to ensure safety and efficiency, following concerns over past overcrowding during similar exercises.

The revised approach comes after the tragic stampede at El-Wak Stadium during a military recruitment exercise, which claimed six lives. In response, the Ministry of the Interior decentralised the process and introduced a centralised digital application system through the Centralised Services E-Recruitment Portal (C-SERP) to better manage applicant numbers.

Applicants who spoke to JoyNews expressed satisfaction with the process, describing it as calm and well organised. Many cited proper queue management, the division of applicants into morning and afternoon sessions, and the provision of basic amenities such as seats, water, and snacks.

Some applicants also commended the professionalism and support of police officers at the centres, noting that the step-by-step process was fast and stress-free.

The Ghana Police Service reiterated that the new recruitment system is designed to enhance transparency while ensuring the safety of applicants. Observers and participants have lauded the exercise and called for the same approach to be maintained in future recruitment processes.

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A statement signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Grace Ansah-Akrofi described the claims as false and urged the public to disregard them.

“The attention of the Ghana Police Service has been drawn to information circulating on various social media platforms regarding an ongoing recruitment exercise. The Police Administration wishes to categorically state that this information is false,” the statement noted.

The statement emphasised that any genuine recruitment exercise will be advertised through the Service’s official communication channels.

“The Service has not announced any new recruitment exercise. Any recruitment exercise will be duly advertised through the official communication channels of the Service, including the official website, verified social media platforms, and the national dailies,” it added.

The Police, therefore, advised the public to refrain from engaging with individuals or groups who promise recruitment opportunities in exchange for money.

Urging the public to report suspicious activities, the Service assured that investigations have begun into these scams, with the aim of arresting and prosecuting culprits.

“The Ghana Police Service assures the public that it is actively investigating these fraudulent activities, and persons found to be involved in such illegal schemes will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement concluded.

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Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, August 15, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia alleged that Mr Quartey made the offer to silence NDC legislators who were opposing the recruitment of about 10,000 party foot soldiers into the police force.

Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as General Mosquito, expressed grave concerns about the implications of such actions for peace in the upcoming election, stating that it does not bode well for peace for the Interior Minister to be clandestinely engaging in such activities.

But Mr Quartey has denied these allegations.

He admits that he had informed his other colleagues that the various portals for recruitment into security services were open, so they should inform their constituents to procure the forms before the general announcements.

The Interior Minister said that by this action, he had no intention of bribing opposition MPs.

He insists that, it was a way of extending a goodwill gesture and that he had not asked them to submit lists of constituents as alleged by General Mosquito.

“Of course, MPs have got constituents who may have also bought forms. Is it wrong to say that if there are forms, they should go through the same process?

“I am not saying that bring me files so I can put you there. So this statement, first of all, let me say categorically that I did not bribe any Member of Parliament,” he said on JoyNew’s The Pulse with Kojo Brace on Thursday.

Additionally, Mr Quartey said he mentioned it at a closed-door meeting with legislators, and the intent was not to bribe any of them for whatever reason.

“I have not bribed any Member of Parliament by offering them two –two and all that.”

The Interior Minister stated that the security service was a neutral institution, and so he cannot risk the peace and security that the country enjoys by filling these institutions with party foot soldiers.

“We don’t have political police, political soldiers, and political fire. Why do I say so? I have always made this statement and asked them [security agencies] to come and speak to it, which they have not done,” he added.

He therefore asked that Mr Nketia’s statement be disregarded.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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Having established a Police training school in the area, the chiefs beleive they are entitled to a quota.

Speaking on behalf of the chiefs at Kenyasi No. 1 during a meeting attended by representatives from the Ghana Police Service, Asutifi North District Assembly, and Newmont, the Apersemakahene, Nana Yeboah Asuamah, explained that, they have repeatedly requested the Police administration to grant them a small percentage in recruitment.

This would allow the chiefs to nominate qualified individuals from the community to join the Police Service.

However, the Police administration is yet to respond positively.

Nana Yeboah Asuamah added that, the people of Kenyasi No. 1, particularly the youth, are frustrated by their lack of access to Police recruitment opportunities, especially after their funds were used to establish the training school.

He urged the Police Administration to consider their plea and take action.

In response, the Human Resource Director of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Charles Adjei Asiamah urged the chiefs to be patient.

He explained that, the Police administration is working to provide a protocol percentage for recruitment.

He noted that, the delay is due to the processes involved.

Source: Sammy Asare

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