Interior Minister Henry Quartey has addressed allegations of partisan favouritism in the recruitment processes of Ghana's security services.

According to him, the selections are based on merit and qualifications, not entirely party affiliations.

Speaking in response to claims by Minority Leader Ato Forson that the processes were tainted along party lines, Quartey emphasized that recruitment selections are based on merit.

Forson had accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of allocating 30 recruitment slots to each of its Members of Parliament, raising concerns about potential bias and lack of fairness in the selection process.

"Over the time that President Akufo-Addo came for us to do recruitment, I can tell you on authority that NDC MPs and NDC party people have all found a way to push their people into the service.

"We did not recruit them for being NDC, they were recruited because they met the eligibility criteria. We recruited them because they are Ghanaians and they are citizens of this country.

"If they go on like this, we will start mentioning names one by one,” he said in an interview on Okay FM on May 21, 2024.

He elaborated that individuals recommended by both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were only selected if they met the necessary criteria.

“If the minority does not keep mute on their allegations, I will publish the names of all NDC Protocol lists, both the MPs and the security personnel who have benefitted,” Quartey warned.

The Minority has formally dared the Minister to published his list.

In a statement dated May 21, 2024, and posted on his social media handles, Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson described the minister's position as alarming and baseless.

"His insinuation that members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have participated in improper recruitment practices without providing any evidence is a clear attempt to divert attention from the substantive issues at hand," the statement read in part.

It added that Quartey's views were "a hollow threat intended to intimidate and silence legitimate criticism from the Minority Caucus," but that they won't be cowed.



AM/SARA

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