The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has announced plans to abolish the protocol system used in recruiting personnel into the security services and other public institutions.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah made this known while addressing party executives and supporters in Sekondi-Takoradi during his ongoing “Thank You Tour” of the Western Region, following the party’s victory in the 2024 general elections.

Speaking on the fourth day of the tour, which covered the Effia, Kwesimintsim, Takoradi and Sekondi constituencies, the NDC Chairman urged party members to reward dedication and hard work at the grassroots level.

He appealed to delegates to retain constituency executives who played key roles in securing the party’s electoral success.

“Those who worked hard and diligently should be retained, but those who did otherwise should not be entertained in the party,” he said, stressing that discipline and commitment were essential to strengthening the party at the constituency level.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah further stated that the protocol-based recruitment system into the security services would be completely scrapped, describing it as unfair and exclusionary.

According to him, the practice was introduced under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government and allowed recruitment slots to be shared among a few individuals without public transparency.

“There should be no recruitment protocol for the security services at all. President Mahama has made a bold promise to abolish this system and open recruitment to all qualified Ghanaians,” he said, adding that even the limited quota currently allocated to Members of Parliament would be cancelled.

He explained that the move aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s broader agenda to promote merit-based recruitment, ensuring equal access to opportunities in public institutions without special privileges.

During the visit, traditional leaders in the area also raised development concerns with the NDC Chairman, including the stalled Takoradi Market Circle redevelopment project.

The Chief of Takoradi, Nana Obo Kojo Atta IV, appealed for urgent intervention to complete the project, noting that delays had negatively affected market women, particularly those relocated from Jubilee Park.

He called for the expedited completion of the market to enable traders to return to their original location and restore their livelihoods.