The Minority in Parliament has called on the Ministry of the Interior (Ghana) to refund about GH¢113 million collected from applicants who were unsuccessful in the ongoing recruitment exercise into the country’s security services.

The demand follows a disclosure by the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, that more than 105,000 applicants have progressed to the medical stage of the process, although only 5,000 positions are ultimately available for enlistment.

The Minister also revealed that close to 500,000 individuals submitted applications across the various security agencies.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, 12 March, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, John Ntim Fordjour, criticised the recruitment exercise, accusing the government of taking advantage of job seekers and worsening the country’s unemployment challenges.

Rev. Fordjour alleged that authorities deliberately expanded the age limit for applicants from 25 to 35 years, creating the impression that more opportunities were available despite the limited number of vacancies.

“You promised them jobs without attaching clear conditions, and then you politically expanded the age limit from twenty-five to thirty-five, creating the impression that there was more room and access to opportunities,” he said.

According to him, the recruitment exercise attracted nearly half a million applicants, each of whom paid application fees, generating more than GH¢113 million.

He further alleged that several applicants were later disqualified through aptitude tests affected by technological and internet challenges.

Describing the situation as unfair, Rev. Fordjour urged the government to refund the monies collected from unsuccessful applicants and ensure greater transparency in future recruitment processes to protect young people from financial exploitation.