The Ghanaian government is set to address the backlog of applicants seeking to join various security agencies under the Ministry of Interior. Starting today, July 8, 2024, the recruitment process will commence following financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance. This initiative aims to bolster the ranks of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Prisons Service, and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOB).

Sources indicate that the recruitment will not involve new advertisements for applicants, as the focus will be solely on the existing pool of applicants. The Interior Ministry has directed specific recruitment targets for each agency: the Prisons Service will bring on board 1,500 personnel, the Immigration Service will recruit 3,000, and the Police Service will add 4,000 new officers. Additionally, the Fire Service is expected to recruit 2,000 personnel, while NACOB will take on 500.

Interior Minister Henry Quartey has previously addressed concerns regarding secret recruitment, clarifying that the ongoing recruitment is solely to clear the backlog of applications received. Since 2017, the government has successfully recruited over 15,814 individuals across these security services, with the latest round of hiring potentially increasing that total to 26,814.

This recruitment effort follows a consistent pattern, with previous years seeing similar actions. In 2017 and 2018, the Interior Ministry recruited 3,500 personnel each year, with fluctuations in subsequent years. Despite no recruitment in 2019, 3,549 officers were brought in in 2020, followed by 2,057 in 2021 and 3,208 in 2022.

In addition to recruitment, the government has been proactive in providing essential logistics, such as vehicles and communication equipment, to ensure that security agencies can operate effectively. Accommodation for personnel has also been prioritized, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening national security.