Security expert Dr Ishmael Norman has called on the government to put an end to protocol recruitment into the security services.

In an interview on Joy FM's Top Story on Thursday, August 15, Dr Norman emphasized that the practice is inherently wrong and goes against the principles of fairness and equality enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

"They have to stop the protocol recruitment. I get angry whenever I hear about it... It is the politicians that are making it possible to happen, we have to stop that. They have to become more accountable to the public,” Dr Norman stated.

He further blamed politicians for creating conditions that lead to self-destruction, stressing the need for responsible leadership to end the practice of protocol recruitment.

Read also: ‘Interior Minister tried to bribe NDC MPs with police recruitment slots’ – Asiedu Nketia

According to Dr Norman, favouritism and partisanship within the recruitment processes are detrimental to the country's progress, and it is imperative for the government to take decisive action to restore fairness and integrity in the security services.

His comment is in response to the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia's allegation that the Interior Minister, Henry Quartey made an offer to silence NDC legislators who were opposing the recruitment of about 10,000 party foot soldiers into the police force.

Asiedu Nketia, aka General Mosquito, expressed grave concerns about the implications of such actions for peace in the upcoming election, stating that it does not bode well for peace for the Interior Minister to be clandestinely engaging in such activities.

But Mr Quartey has denied these allegations.

He admits that he had informed his other colleagues that the various portals for recruitment into security services were open, so they should inform their constituents to procure the forms before the general announcements.

The Interior Minister said that by this action, he had no intention of bribing opposition MPs.

Reflecting on recent comments by political figures, Dr Norman noted, “He who feels it, knows it. So if Asiedu Nketia feels it was kind of a bribe, then in his opinion, it will be.

Read also: ‘Interior Minister tried to bribe NDC MPs with police recruitment slots’ – Asiedu Nketia

"If Henry Quartey doesn’t think it was some kind of bribe but rather an instigation to get them to present their people as if they need to do that, then it could mean something else. The whole thing revolves around protocol placement, and that for me is wrong.”

Dr Norman expressed frustration with politicians who fail to uphold the constitutional provision for equal opportunity, leading to situations where they "dance in circles" trying to cover up such practices when they come to public attention.

“Can anyone say that there is no protocol placement in the security agency recruitment? No one can say that… Do the right thing so you won’t have to defend anything because truth stands by itself without any embellishment,” he added.