Over 500 Security Personnel Removed After Recruitment Audit – Interior Minister

Accra, July 14, 2025 – More than 500 personnel have been dismissed from Ghana’s security services following a government review that uncovered widespread irregularities in recruitment processes conducted before and after the December 2024 general elections.

The Minister for the Interior, Mr. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, made the announcement during the first session of the Government Accountability Series held in Accra on Monday.

According to the minister, a special committee reviewed the records of about 5,200 new recruits across various security agencies. The audit revealed that hundreds of recruits did not meet the minimum requirements for enlistment.

Affected agencies included the Ghana Police Service, where approximately 320 personnel were disqualified, the Ghana Immigration Service with around 730 removed, and the Narcotics Control Commission, which saw about 50 dismissed.

“These individuals did not meet the basic standards in terms of academic qualifications, age, and medical fitness,” Mr. Muntaka stated. “Some were in their forties, diabetic, and medically unfit, yet they had been recruited.”

He added that the review was initiated following public concerns over the transparency of recruitment exercises, especially in the final months of the previous administration. Several recruitment advertisements were issued in August 2024, shortly before the elections. The Minority in Parliament later accused the process of favouring political loyalists.

In one striking case, a recruit who had nearly completed training was found to have failed every subject in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE), a basic requirement for entry. “Once you don’t meet the qualification, you have to go,” Mr. Muntaka explained.

All dismissed individuals have reportedly received written explanations for their removal.

Looking ahead, the minister announced plans to introduce clearer recruitment guidelines. These will include defined roles for technical and support staff, such as drivers, cooks, dressmakers, and painters.

“We need artisans in the services, but they must be recruited for what they are – not as officers,” he emphasized.

The audit is one of the most comprehensive in recent years and comes amid growing public scrutiny over alleged political interference in the security sector. It forms part of a broader government initiative to restore trust and professionalism within the services.

The Government Accountability Series, launched by the Presidency, aims to provide the public with regular updates on ministerial work. Other ministers are expected to present their reports in the coming weeks.