President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed claims of favouritism in the recent recruitment exercise into Ghana’s security services, insisting that the introduction of digital systems ensured a fair and transparent process.
Speaking during an engagement with the Ghanaian community in Philadelphia on Thursday, March 26, 2026, President Mahama explained that technology was deployed to address long-standing public complaints about bias and “who you know” in public sector recruitment.
“There have been a lot of complaints that people get recruited based on who they know. This was an attempt to use digitalisation to sort through the first wave of applications. The computer doesn’t know who you are,” he said.
The President, however, acknowledged that the exercise attracted an overwhelming response, far beyond initial expectations. Approximately 500,000 vouchers were sold for an initial target of around 5,000 positions.
“The intent was in good faith, but the response was overwhelming. We held a meeting and decided to expand the recruitment, and all those who applied don’t need to pay again,” he added.
President Mahama assured Ghanaians that additional measures would be taken in future recruitment drives to further enhance transparency and equal opportunity across the security services.
The recruitment process has come under intense public scrutiny in recent weeks due to the huge disparity between the number of applicants and available slots, highlighting the severe unemployment challenges facing the country’s youth.
Critics have also questioned the centralised digital system managed by the Ministry of the Interior, raising concerns about its accessibility and overall transparency.
The government has since directed a significant expansion of recruitment into the security services, increasing the four-year target from 20,000 to 40,000 personnel as part of efforts to strengthen national security and create more opportunities for young Ghanaians.