Dr Ishmael Norman, President of the Institute for Security, Disaster and Emergency Studies, has praised the Interior Minister for what he describes as rare moral leadership in Ghana’s politics.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, Dr Norman said the minister deserves recognition for attempting to prioritise merit in recruitment and decision-making within the sector.

“Thank you very much. Greetings to all the panel members, and, of course, yourself.”

“I think we need to applaud the minister of interior for being a moral politician and a moral leader, trying to do the selection based upon meritocracy.”

According to him, the approach represents a major departure from the political culture that often influences recruitment decisions in the country.

“This, for me, is the first time I’m seeing this kind of thing happen in Ghana, and I am totally immersed with admiration for them.”

Dr Norman acknowledged that making recruitment decisions based strictly on merit can be difficult, especially when there are financial constraints and competing public expectations.

“It’s a very difficult choice-making and decision-making process, but I believe that the minister and the committee are still going about it the right way.”

He said a phased recruitment approach could allow the authorities to manage costs while still maintaining a merit-based system.

“So that if they do it in phases, then they are able to accommodate more people, considering the budget, the financial implications involved in every single person that you hire.”

Despite the challenges, he maintained that the minister’s approach remains the right direction for the country.

“And so I think, without going into too much detail, again, the minister is on the right path.”

Dr Norman also reflected on Ghana's wider political culture, arguing that meritocracy often clashes with entrenched expectations within the political system.

“Meritocracy is not what Ghanaians want.”

“Ghanaians, whether they are NDP or NDC, they want, you know, identity politics, no patrimonialism.”

“You push people in because your party is in power, that’s what they want.”

He said this environment makes it extremely difficult for leaders who attempt to act differently from the norm.

“It’s very, very difficult to go against the grain of the moral behaviour of the society.”

Still, Dr Norman urged the minister and the selection committee to stay committed to the approach despite the pressure.

“But they are on the right path. They should do the right thing... And in the end, victory will again be on the part of the NDC.”