The Rights Accountability Network Africa (RANA) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the recent security services recruitment exercise, warning that nearly 500,000 applicants paid fees for a highly limited number of positions.

In a petition submitted on March 19, 2026, the advocacy group raised concerns about fairness and the financial strain placed on unemployed youth.

“Available public reports indicate that approximately 500,000 young Ghanaians applied for about 5,000 positions across the security services,” RANA stated, noting that the sale of recruitment forms generated over GH¢100 million.

With only about 1% of applicants likely to secure employment, RANA argues that the process disproportionately affects economically vulnerable citizens.

“For many young Ghanaians, recruitment into the security services represents one of the few viable opportunities for stable employment,” the petition said.

“Requiring applicants to pay fees under such circumstances places a significant financial burden on individuals already facing economic hardship.”

The organisation also cited constitutional and international commitments. Ghana, as a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, is obligated to ensure fair access to employment. Domestically, Articles 23, 17, and 296 of the 1992 Constitution protect citizens’ rights to dignity, equality, and protection from unfair administrative practices, RANA said.

Beyond the financial implications, RANA highlighted governance concerns, including a lack of transparency over funds generated from recruitment form sales and allegations of informal “protocol” recruitment practices that bypass merit-based selection.

In its petition, RANA requested several interventions, including a full audit of all funds collected, immediate refunds to applicants, an independent review of the recruitment process, and reforms to ensure that future recruitment exercises are transparent, merit-based, and accessible without undue financial barriers.

The group also urged the President to engage Parliament and oversight institutions to establish clear guidelines for public sector recruitment.

Copies of the petition have been sent to the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, the Ministries of Interior, Defence, and Finance, the Attorney-General’s Office, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior, and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).