Political Deception Knows No Party Boundaries — Not Even the NDC

It wasn't that long ago that prominent figures within the NDC voiced disapproval of selling application forms to unemployed youth, decrying it as unethical governance. Back then, the cost of these forms was considerably lower. This naturally prompts the question: what has changed? Was their concern for struggling young people genuine, or was it merely a political manoeuvre designed to discredit their rivals?

Now, the very practices they once condemned appear to be resurfacing, if not worsening. Thousands of hopeful young individuals, desperate for employment within the security sector, purchased numerous application forms to improve their odds. However, they've since been informed that they're limited to a single online test, irrespective of the number of forms acquired.

Consider the case of Mr A. He invested in forms for the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and Ghana Prisons Service, all in the hope of bettering his prospects. Having paid for all three, he's now faced with the reality of only one test. The obvious query emerges: what becomes of the funds he expended on the other forms? Will a refund be issued, or will the money simply vanish?

If the authorities were aware from the outset of the single-test limitation, why were multiple forms sold without clear stipulations? For countless young people already grappling with joblessness, this arrangement smacks of a scam, rather than a fair and transparent process.

This situation is particularly ironic, given that the same political leaders who previously criticised the sale of forms under the earlier administration are now seemingly engaging in similar behaviour. This naturally raises questions about their sincerity and consistency.

Is the plight of unemployed youth merely a convenient campaign slogan, easily forgotten once in power? It often seems as though political parties only uphold these values when they're out of office, subsequently abandoning them upon attaining power. Does this suggest that politicians only see clearly when in opposition? It's difficult to say.

The figures further complicate the matter. The government cannot possibly accommodate all applicants, yet the sale of forms continues. Many suspect that political connections heavily influence the recruitment process, exacerbating the challenges for ordinary citizens. So, why continue selling so many forms when the job market remains so restricted?

Even more troubling is the cost imposed on already struggling youth. The government is reportedly charging as much as GHC220.00 for application forms, far higher than what previous administrations sold the forms, despite not bearing major examination expenses such as printing question papers, renting examination halls, or hiring markers. For many observers, this raises a serious concern: if the state is not incurring high operational costs, why are unemployed young people being charged such high fees?

To critics, this reinforces the perception that recruitment exercises have become another avenue for exploiting the desperation of job-seeking youth.

At a minimum, fairness and transparency are essential. Those who purchased multiple forms under unclear conditions should receive refunds if they're limited to a single test. Anything less will erode public trust and amplify the frustration of unemployed youth.

A responsible government must prioritise integrity over expediency. After all, deception knows no political affiliation, and citizens deserve more than empty promises and shifting principles.