• Fake Promises and Cash Deals Rock Ghana Police Recruitment as Minister Declares Merit Only
• Backdoor Police Enlistment Under Fire After Fraud Suspect Arrested at Recruitment Centres
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has issued a firm warning to individuals seeking to exploit Ghana’s security services recruitment process, declaring that protocol enlistment and backdoor recruitment are no longer tolerated under his leadership. This follows the arrest of a suspect accused of fraudulently selling recruitment slots into the security services, a practice that has for years undermined public confidence in the system.
The Minister made this announcement during a working visit to selected police recruitment screening centres in Accra, where he assessed the ongoing recruitment exercise and interacted with officers overseeing the process. His visit forms part of broader government efforts to sanitize recruitment into the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies, ensuring transparency, fairness, and equal opportunity for all applicants.
According to Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, the suspect was arrested after investigations revealed a scheme in which unsuspecting applicants were charged money under the false promise of guaranteed enlistment. He stressed that such acts constitute criminal fraud and sabotage of national institutions, and vowed that anyone found engaging in similar activities would be prosecuted without hesitation.
The Minister emphasized that recruitment into the Ghana Police Service will henceforth be strictly merit-based. He explained that candidates will be selected solely on the basis of performance, eligibility, and integrity, rather than political connections, family influence, or financial inducement. In his words, “Under my leadership, protocol enlistment into the Ghana Police Service is a thing of the past.”
He further cautioned applicants and their families to be vigilant and to disregard individuals claiming they can influence recruitment outcomes. According to him, no individual, regardless of status or political affiliation, has the authority to insert names or manipulate the process. He encouraged the public to report anyone demanding money or claiming access to recruitment officials, assuring that such reports will be treated with confidentiality and urgency.
Security analysts have long argued that compromised recruitment processes weaken discipline and professionalism within the security services. By prioritizing merit and competence, the Interior Minister believes the Police Service will be strengthened, better positioned to serve the public, and more trusted by citizens. He noted that officers who enter the service through dishonest means often lack the commitment and ethical grounding required for effective policing.
Officials at the recruitment centres briefed the Minister on the measures in place to prevent interference, including strict verification procedures, monitoring systems, and supervision by senior officers. These measures, according to the Ministry, are designed to close loopholes that previously allowed middlemen and fraudsters to exploit applicants.
The announcement has been welcomed by many young Ghanaians aspiring to join the security services, who have often complained that genuine candidates are sidelined in favour of those with connections. Civil society groups have also called for sustained enforcement of the Minister’s directive, noting that consistent action will be key to ending recruitment-related corruption.
As the recruitment exercise continues nationwide, the Interior Ministry has reiterated its commitment to accountability and institutional integrity. The arrest of the suspect, officials say, is intended to serve as a deterrent and a clear signal that the era of protocol-driven enlistment is over. For many observers, the real test will lie in maintaining this standard beyond the current recruitment cycle and embedding meritocracy as a permanent feature of Ghana’s security services.
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