Speaking to Joy News, Mr. Quartey provided an update on the recruitment process, highlighting the overwhelming response.

“As of two days ago, there were close to 90,000 applications. That is the report I received from the security agencies handling the recruitment,” he said.

However, Mr. Quartey noted that the number of available positions is limited. Parliament has approved a budget that allows for the recruitment of approximately 12,000 new personnel across the security services.

He emphasized that the agencies will need to apply their eligibility criteria rigorously to select qualified candidates from the large pool of applicants.

“All these 80,000 will be subject to the security agencies’ criteria to determine who qualifies for admission,” the Minister added, underscoring the competitive nature of the recruitment process.

“In fact, as at last two days, there were close to 90,000. That is the report that I had from the security agencies that was doing the recruitment,” he said in an interview on Joy News.

“But bear in mind that Parliament has approved a budget so there is an intake that the agencies will have to do and I don’t think that its going to go beyond maybe 12,000 or so.

“So all this 80,000, its up to the security agencies to use their eligibility criteria to be able to select who qualifies to actually be admitted”.

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Mr Nitiwul argued that, had it not been for President Akufo-Addo’s government’s extraordinary funding of the security services, terrorists would have taken over the country as they have done in other countries in West Africa and the Sahel.

The Minister also revealed that military lands sold under the NDC have been retrieved under his watch as Minister for Defense.

“Mr. Speaker this government has taken the largest infrastructure development since 1992 within the Ghana armed forces. How many multiple rocket launchers did we get as compared to any other government? Any other equipment for the army we have provided more than anybody. Mr. Speaker when it comes to training and manpower we have added to the stock of the armed force more than any other government”.

The former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu said the claims by the Defense Minister were unfounded.

He described the allocation to all the Security Ministries as wholly inadequate.

Mr. Iddrisu has criticized the government and the Finance Ministry for the low funds allocated to anti-corruption institutions.

The Former Minority Leader said he expected the defense Minister and the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery to express disappointment in the inter-ministerial committee of the security minister.

“Even as we consult quietly was for the government to make available to you at least 2.5 billion US dollars in order for you to be able to contain terrorism, the threat of it in our country equip both the military and the Ghana Police to adequately prepare and to get you ready to keep our country safe, secured and peaceful.”

Mr. Iddrisu argued that, both the previous and current special prosecutors have claimed that there are not enough resources to combat corruption.

Meanwhile, Minister for the Interior Ambrose Dery has assured that the 2024 election would be the safest in the country’s recent history.

He explained enough body cams and other logistics have been made available to the police and allied institutions ahead of the crucial 2024 election.

But, ranking member of the Defense and Interior Committee James Agalga has criticized the allocation made to the security agencies.

According to him, the National Peace Council is to educate citizens to ensure there is no terrorism in the country.

He said the council seeks to ensure there is no violent extremism.  According to him, the council would also ensure that political actors make statements with care to make sure there is no tension in the country.  “And I can assure you as has been requested by the honorable Haruna Iddrisu of the safety in next year’s presidential and parliamentary elections. You can take it from me that the police service and other agencies are going to work hard to achieve that”

“He said the council is seeking to get body cams to enhance the accountability of their operatives to ensure that when there is a need to find out what happened, there will be an authentic source of information as to their behavior. So rest assured that the election will be a free and fair election and we’d break the eight”.

The Minority spokesperson on the Defense and Interior Committee, James Agalga said the allocations to the ministries of interior, national security, and defense are below 1% of GDP.

Mr. Agalga said the country is facing security challenges such as the detection of terrorism from the northern frontier, and detection emerging from the Gulf of Guinea which has made it necessary for the Ministry of Defense to start the construction of the FOB at Ezolibu.

“You will understand that this government is not competent to ensuring that the citizens of this country live in an atmosphere of peace and security. Per the country’s constitution, the president is the commander in chief of our armed forces. He is also the chairman of the National Security Council while the vice president, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia is a chairman of the police council and the chairman of the armed forces council”.

 According to Mr. Agalga the President and Vice are to blame for challenges with the Police and Armed Forces.

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According to her, the sale of forms is unethical and an extortionist approach, hence her call for a refund.

The outspoken politician stated she could not comprehend why the government will take monies from the same people he promised jobs before an offer is made.

She made the call in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Thursday, adding the government must also apologise over the development.

Admitting this was not the first time enlistment forms were being sold in Ghana, she noted it was about time the approach is done away with.

In her view, citizens interested in the security services must get easy access and entry once they meet the laid down requirements.

Madam Kumankumah argued the sale of application forms has become a barrier for persons who may be more qualified but are financially distressed.

“Looking at the situation we find ourselves in now, most of the youth have become jobless as a result of the pandemic so asking them to pay GHS 100 before the state can provide them jobs is unfair,” she said.

She stressed about 70 per cent of the National Gross Domestic Product was being paid to the public sector so the sale of job application forms was unnecessary.

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Her comment comes after the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, in July 2021, gave financial clearance for the recruitment of people into the police, prisons, immigration, and education services.

A total of 11,840 jobs are available to be filled.

The portal is purported to be from the Public Relations Department of the General Headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

According to the Ministry, the portal has gone viral on social media platforms including WhatsApp and is being used to invite applications for recruitment into GAF and other security services.

“Investigations reveal that an MTN number 0246300052 registered under the name Thomas Oppong has been attached to facilitate contact by interested applicants,” a statement signed by the PRO, Munira Karim said.

The statement added: “Further, it was gathered that the account has been taking monies as processing fees from interested persons.”

The outfit has since advised the public to take note in order not to fall victim to such fraudulent acts.

Read the statement below:

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