POLITICAL ANALYST CALLS FOR FOCUS ON SECURITY RECRUITMENT PROCESS AND ASEIDU NKETIA'S COMMENT -MR.JUSTICE SIAW MANDELA

Political analyst Siaw Mandela Justice has urged the public to focus on improving the recruitment process into Ghana’s security services rather than concentrating on comments made by Johnson Asiedu Nketia. Speaking in an interview with Nana Nhyiraba Kwabena Asirifi on ICAD TV’s Morning Show Ghana Nti Today, Mr. Justice said the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is often misunderstood. According to him, Asiedu Nketia is known to be a jovial person, and some people misinterpret his statements because they belong to different political traditions. Mr. Justice explained that it would be unrealistic for the security services to recruit as many as 500,000 people. However, he noted that the decision to extend the recruitment age created the expectation that more applicants would be selected. He said if only about 5,000 people are eventually recruited, it could raise public concerns about the process. The analyst also spoke about the introduction of aptitude tests as part of the recruitment process. According to him, the test is meant to ensure fairness and transparency, stressing that those who pass are not only members of the NDC but applicants from different political backgrounds. He added that in the past, some Members of Parliament promised opportunities to party supporters through “protocol” arrangements. Mr. Justice referred to remarks made by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who mentioned such practices during his vetting. Mr. Justice encouraged Ghanaians to embrace the new recruitment system, saying every new policy comes with challenges at the beginning. He also noted that while some applicants may perform well academically, they may not necessarily meet the physical requirements needed for the security services. He concluded that improving transparency and fairness in recruitment will help build trust in the system regardless of which political party is in power.