The Minority in Parliament has demanded that the Ministry of the Interior refund approximately GH¢113 million collected as application fees from applicants disqualified during the ongoing recruitment exercise into the country’s security services.
The call comes after Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka disclosed that more than 105,000 applicants have qualified for the medical stage of the process, even though only 5,000 positions are available for final enlistment. He further revealed that nearly 500,000 individuals applied for roles across the various security agencies.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, March 12, 2026, Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, accused the government of exploiting desperate job seekers and creating a national security and unemployment crisis through misleading practices.
Rev. Fordjour claimed the authorities deliberately expanded the age limit from 25 to 35 years to signal greater opportunities and secure financial clearance, despite knowing from the outset that only 5,000 recruits would be enlisted.
“You promised them jobs. You didn’t add any conditions. Then you turn around, you politically expand the age limit from twenty-five to thirty-five, signaling that there is more room and more access, more financial clearance, which was a lie,” he said.
He alleged that the ministry lured half a million applicants, collected over GH¢113 million in fees, and then disqualified many through aptitude tests hampered by technological and internet disruptions.
“This is the biggest recruitment scam,” Rev. Fordjour asserted, describing the process as exploitative amid high unemployment.
The lawmaker urged the government to immediately refund the money to all affected applicants and to ensure greater transparency in future recruitment drives to prevent financial exploitation of vulnerable youth.
He emphasized that refunds should precede any final selection, allowing fees to be collected only from successful candidates if necessary.