NDC Sacks Over 1000 Security Service Recruits

Over 1000 recruits have been removed from the Ghana Police Service, Immigration Service, and Narcotics Control Commission after a government review uncovered major problems in how some recruits were selected before and after the December 2024 general election.

Some had no academic pass. Others were too old, sick, or unfit. Yet they still made it into Ghana’s top security services until now.

The shocking revelation was made by Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak on Monday, July 14th, 2025, during the launch of the Government Accountability Series held in Accra.

What was meant to be a look into normal recruitment turned into one of the biggest clean-up exercises the sector has seen in years.

The Minister also the Member of Parliament for Asawase in the Ashanti Region, explained that a special committee had reviewed the files of about 5,200 new recruits across various security agencies. The findings showed that hundreds of recruits did not meet the basic qualifications for entry into the services.

Among the affected institutions were the Ghana Police Service, which had about 320 people removed; the Ghana Immigration Service, where around 730 were disqualified; and the Narcotics Control Commission, which saw around 50 people axed.

According to Mr. Muntaka, the review followed public complaints about suspicious recruitment processes in the final months of the previous government.

In August 2024, shortly before the general election, several job advertisements for the security services were released.

The Minority in Parliament later raised concerns, accusing the government at the time of favoring political supporters.

The special audit looked into three main areas: academic qualifications, age, and medical fitness.

“We were able to get out about 320 who were not supposed to be there. Some were in their forties, diabetic, and medically unfit, but they were picked. We had to explain to them that with their situation, they could not remain in the service,” Mr. Muntaka said, speaking about the Police Service

He also told a story of how a Member of Parliament tried to intervene on behalf of a relative who had almost completed training. Upon reviewing the person’s records, it was discovered that the individual had failed all subjects in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE), which is the minimum qualification for recruitment.

“They called and said the person didn’t pass SSSCE, didn’t even record one subject. Once you don’t meet the basic qualification, you have to go,” Mr. Muntaka said.

He assured the public that everyone affected received a written explanation for their removal.

To prevent future irregularities, the Minister said new recruitment rules would be introduced. These guidelines will include clearly defined roles for technical and support staff.

Future advertisements will also state job positions and minimum qualifications to avoid confusion.

Mr. Muntaka added that while non-academic roles like drivers, cooks, painters, and dressmakers are needed in the services, people hired for such jobs must know they are not being recruited as officers.

“I know people who went to vocational school and became dressmakers. The services need them to sew uniforms. But they must know they’re being recruited as artisans, not officers,” he said.

The issue of political influence in the security services has been a topic of concern since the 2024 elections, especially after reports of “party foot soldiers” being given jobs in the services. The current audit is one of the most detailed recruitment checks in recent years.

The Government Accountability Series is a new initiative by the Presidency to keep citizens informed about how ministers are performing. Other ministers are expected to give similar briefings in the coming weeks.