Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Doctor Henry Kwabena Kokofu, has criticised the incumbent government for opening security recruitment applications to thousands of applicants.
According to him, the authorities were already aware of the number of people who would be recruited into the security services.
Speaking in a monitored interview on Channel One TV, Mr. Kokofu described the ongoing security recruitment process as a “system designed to extort money from unemployed young people,” calling it “daylight robbery” institutionalized by the state.
He argued that the approach places unnecessary financial burden on young Ghanaians who are eager to serve their country but are compelled to pay application-related costs with little chance of success.
“This is how we have succeeded in institutionalizing criminality and extortion from the ordinary poor people.
“These are poor young people who, through no fault of theirs, are eager to serve their country in those various capacities, yet the institutions know exactly how many people they can absorb,” he said.
Dr. Kokofu further mentioned that the system is marred by favoritism and protocol placements, which significantly reduce the chances of ordinary applicants securing positions after going through the recruitment process.
“With the 5,000 slots, I can assure you that about 4,000 will go into protocol, leaving the poor applicant to compete for the remaining 1,000 slots with as many as 500,000 people.
“Encouraging about 500,000 people to apply when you know very well that only about 5,000 will be taken is robbery and daylight extortion that has been institutionalized by the state,” he added.
Source: Mensah Jennifer
