President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed claims of favoritism in the recent security services recruitment exercise, insisting that the process was conducted fairly through a digital system designed to eliminate human interference.
According to him, the computerized selection method was introduced to address long-standing public concerns that recruitment into the security agencies often depends on personal connections, stressing that “the computer doesn’t know who you are.”
“There have been a lot of complaints that people get recruited based on who they know. This was an attempt to use digitalization to sort through the first wave of applications. The computer doesn’t know who you are. The intent was in good faith but the response was overwhelming,” he stated.
President Mahama explained that the recruitment drive attracted an unexpected surge of applicants from across the country, with about 500,000 vouchers reportedly sold. However, only 5,000 applicants were initially considered, a situation he attributed to the overwhelming number of submissions.
He said the introduction of technology was aimed at ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection process, but the massive response created logistical challenges that required immediate intervention.
President Mahama made the remarks while answering questions during an engagement with members of the Ghanaian community in Philadelphia in the United States.
He assured the public that measures would be strengthened to maintain transparency and equal opportunity in future recruitment exercises within the security services.
“We held a meeting and decided to expand the recruitment, and all those who applied don’t need to pay again,” he added.
The President emphasized that the government remains committed to ensuring that recruitment into the security agencies is based on merit and equal opportunity, stressing that steps will continue to be taken to build public trust in the process.
SOURCE: Mubarak Yakubu
