Scrap the Obnoxious Sale of Security Recruitment Forms

Why should unemployed young people, desperate for jobs, be compelled to buy recruitment forms before they can even dream of joining the police, military, or immigration service? It is exploitation, plain and simple. Selling forms to jobless citizens is unfair, unjust, and unpatriotic.

This shameful practice locks out many qualified applicants who cannot afford the forms. Instead of giving every citizen a fair shot, the system filters candidates by wealth. The poor are left behind, and the uniform is reserved for those who can pay or those who know the right people.

And here lies the bigger scandal: the unhealthy “protocol” system. Connections have replaced merit. Unqualified and unfit individuals with ties to high offices are enlisted, while those who truly meet the requirements are overlooked. It is no surprise, then, that some security personnel are now being arrested for armed robbery and other crimes. We have recruited fraud, and we are reaping the consequences of it.

Now compare today’s crop of officers to those of yesterday. The difference is day and night. Yesterday’s officers were disciplined, sharp, and professional. They commanded respect the moment you saw them. They carried themselves with dignity and spoke with authority. Their reports were written clearly, their statements taken diligently, and their orders followed with precision. They knew the value of the uniform, and they wore it with pride, not arrogance. Their training and background checks ensured that only the best—physically fit, mentally sound, and morally upright—were allowed to serve. Even those who were not highly educated still respected the chain of command, upheld discipline, and lived by the values expected of an officer. That was the standard.

Today’s officers? Too many of them lack discipline and even the basics of literacy. Some cannot write their own names, yet they are expected to draft situational reports. Others openly insult their seniors, refuse lawful orders, and parade themselves as untouchable because of “protocol.” During elections, many of these recruits behave like party thugs instead of national officers, intimidating citizens instead of protecting them. Respect for hierarchy has collapsed, and professionalism is a fading memory. The contrast is shameful, and it is dangerous.

What happened to the days when recruitment was transparent and based purely on merit? A simple advert in the national newspapers, open applications, and fair screenings. That was recruitment! No sale of forms. No buying of chances. No nepotism. Just fairness, discipline, and service.

If the government does not stop this practice, our security services will continue to rot. Parliament, the Ministry of Interior, and the Presidency must act now. Scrap the sale of recruitment forms. End the disgraceful protocol system. Restore merit, discipline, and professionalism.

The Ghanaian people deserve a security service they can respect, not one they fear or mock. Anything less is a betrayal of the nation.

Ghanaians are watching!

FAB’s Gist