The Ghana Journalists Association is urging the government to abolish the long-standing practice of charging applicants for recruitment forms into the country’s security services, calling it financially burdensome and inequitable amid intense competition for limited positions.

Speaking Wednesday, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour said the requirement forces thousands of job seekers to pay for applications that offer no assurance of employment. With demand for security service roles far outstripping supply, he argued, the system places undue strain on applicants, many of whom are unemployed.

The association also warned that perceived political influence in recruitment risks eroding professionalism within state security institutions. Mr. Dwumfour called for a depoliticized process, emphasizing that such agencies are mandated to serve the state rather than partisan interests.

He further advocated reforms to improve transparency and efficiency in hiring, including stricter oversight of digital screening tools. As authorities increasingly adopt automated systems, he cautioned, safeguards are needed to prevent bias and ensure qualified candidates are not unfairly excluded.

The comments come as competition intensifies for security service roles, with more than 500,000 applicants reportedly vying for roughly 5,000 openings, underscoring mounting pressure on the government to overhaul recruitment practices.

Source:TheDotNews