Senyo Amekplenu, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has announced plans to take legal action against the government over fees charged to youth for security service recruitment.
This follows the rising public discontent over allegations that security recruitment processes in Ghana have been monetized, causing frustration among unemployed youth who paid fees in anticipation of jobs.
Speaking on The Forum, a political and current affairs programme on Asaase Radio, Amekplenu described the practice as “daylight robbery” and criticized the current administration for failing to refund applicants.
“The worse of all is what the NDC government is doing. I support the call by the minority that there is a need for a refund,” he told the host Wilberforce Asare.
“And I have started a conversation my lawyers and we are going to explore every avenue that that there would be a lawsuit against this government if it does not refund the money to the youth”, he added.
Amekplenu stated that he has begun consultations with lawyers and intends to explore all avenues to ensure the government reimburses the youth. He also revealed plans to launch a mobilization drive to pressure authorities.
“Ponzi scheme”
He further accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of failing to deliver on employment promises to young people and turning security service recruitment into what he described as a “ponzi scheme.”
“You promised the youth of this country ‘1-3-3’ – one job, three shifts, three people. Where are the jobs?” he said, referring to an employment model promoted during the campaign by the governing National Democratic Congress.
“Our president on the campaign trail promised the youth that they would be sorted out. Now where are the jobs? You guys are silent,” he posited.
Recommendation
Meanwhile, a security analyst Emmanuel Sowatey has proposed a lottery system for police recruitment in Ghana to enhance transparency and ensure alignment with the country’s broader national security strategy.
He also urged young political actors to move beyond partisan considerations in addressing systemic issues highlighted by recent recruitment controversies.
Speaking on the same show, Sowatey stressed that recruitment processes must be as open as possible. He also proposed a practical method to manage limited recruitment slots.
“The police should know that giving what the state wants us to do, we need these things: human resources, logistics. Anytime we are buying logistics or recruiting, we are tying what you are doing to the broader national security strategy,” he said.
“For now, given the numbers we have and the backdrop, one of the best ways we can move forward is to have a lottery system. We take all the applicants, pick maybe 7,000, and from the 7,000 we designate those who qualify and create a waiting list,” he explained.
Source: asaaseradio.com
