The Minority in Parliament has announced its intention to file a motion demanding an inquiry into the recruitment processes of the country’s security services since 2017. This move is aimed at protecting the integrity of these institutions.
Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, made this announcement in response to the Minister of the Interior, Henry Quartey, who threatened to release the names of National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament who allegedly submitted names of individuals for recruitment into the security services.
Dr. Ato Forson described the Minister’s statements as “alarming and baseless,” and an attempt to divert attention from the real issues at hand. He emphasized that the Minority’s concern is the transparency and fairness in the recruitment process, and not political grandstanding.
The Minority Leader highlighted credible information suggesting that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is manipulating the recruitment process to favor its parliamentary candidates, with each candidate receiving 30 slots. This allegation is serious and deserves a substantive response, not deflection.
Dr. Ato Forson challenged the Interior Minister to name the individuals he claims were brought forward by NDC MPs for recruitment. He emphasized the need to move away from rhetoric and towards accountability.
If the Minister cannot provide these names, then his statements must be seen for what they are: an attempt to distract from the substantive concerns raised by the Minority. The Minority Leader assured that they will bring a motion to Parliament to demand an inquiry into the recruitment into security services since 2017.
This inquiry is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the security services and the trust of the Ghanaian people in these institutions. The Minority is committed to ensuring transparency and justice in the recruitment process.
Dr. Ato Forson’s statement emphasized the need for collective commitment to transparency and justice, and the importance of protecting the integrity of the security services. The Minority’s motion for an inquiry is a step towards achieving this goal.
The Minister of the Interior’s response to the Minority’s concerns has been criticized for lacking substance and attempting to intimidate and silence legitimate criticism. The Minority remains committed to demanding accountability and transparency in the recruitment process.
The outcome of this development remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Minority in Parliament is determined to ensure that the recruitment process into the country’s security services is fair, transparent, and free from political manipulation.
