The Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has condemned the Ghana Police Service for engaging in a covet recruitment exercise.

A statement signed by the political party’s youth organizer, George Opare Addo said the recruitment is meant to fill the service with sympathizers of the New Patriotic Party and therefore undermines the integrity of the service and called for transparency.

It further urged all Ghanaians who have applied to be enlisted into the Police Service in the past four years but have failed in their attempt to converge at the formed Poice Unit Headquarters to go through

“By this statement, we urge all eligible Ghanaians, who have applied to the Ghana Police Service within the past four years to converge at the Formed Police Unit HQ and participate in the screening exercise. No group holds more claim to our nation than another; we all deserve equal opportunities,” the statement said.

Read The Statement Below:

PRESS STATEMENT

NDC CONDEMNS ‘SECRET’ POLICE RECRUITMENT PROCESS; URGES ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS TO GATHER AT THE SCREENING VENUE!

Accra, July 14, 2024- The National Democratic Congress condemns the Ghana Police Service, led by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, and the current government, for engaging in a covert recruitment exercise to fill the service with party loyalists. This development is a departure from established recruitment procedures and is unacceptable. The government, in collaboration with its allies in the police, is trying to fill the ranks with pro-government recruits, which undermines the integrity of the service.

Last week, Members of Parliament from the Minority Group exposed this troubling development. The Minister of Interior, Henry Quartey, confirmed the secret recruitment, claiming it addresses a backlog of applicants. However, this explanation is insufficient, as thousands of Ghanaian youths who applied to the police service over the past four years remain uncontacted while screening goes on.

The Akufo Addo/Bawumia government have consistently sought to undermine our state institutions through their unscrupulous methods. In addition to the secret recruitment into the Ghana Police Service, they have been systematically appointing judges to the Supreme Court who are perceived to be sympathetic to their cause. This politicization of our judiciary erodes the public’s trust in the fairness and impartiality of our legal system.

Furthermore, illegal recruitment into the police service has serious implications for our national security. By prioritizing party loyalty over merit and competence, the government risks compromising the professionalism and effectiveness of our police force. This move endangers the very foundation of law and order in our country, making it susceptible to partisan manipulation and reducing the public’s confidence in the police.

By this statement, we urge all eligible Ghanaians, who have applied to the Ghana Police Service within the past four years to converge at the Formed Police Unit HQ and participate in the screening exercise. No group holds more claim to our nation than another; we all deserve equal opportunities.

The NDC firmly supports all eligible applicants in their desire to serve our nation. The Ghana Police Service must operate transparently and fairly, free from political manipulation. The continued undermining of our state institutions by the NPP government must be stopped to preserve the integrity and security of our nation. We demand accountability and a return to the principles of fairness, meritocracy, and transparency in all aspects of governance.

End.