Emmanuel Kotin is a security analyst
Security analyst Emmanuel Kotin has called on the government to ensure transparency and fairness in the ongoing recruitment into Ghana’s security services following concerns over the large number of applicants progressing to the next stage.
His remarks come after more than 105,000 applicants reportedly qualified for the medical stage, despite only 5,000 slots available for final enlistment.
Speaking to Starr News, Kotin warned against political interference in the recruitment process, stressing that such actions could undermine professionalism within the security services.
“If the only avenue for our teeming youth to secure jobs is through the security agencies, then we have failed as a country. I want to appeal to President Mahama. Look, you swore by the Constitution to do all manner of good for every Ghanaian, devoid of party colouration,” he said.
Kotin also criticised recent comments by the Interior Minister and argued that Parliament should demand explanations.
“The statement by the Interior Minister today is condemnable. If our democracy were truly functioning and our Parliament was not politicised, I believe processes would have been put in place to invite the Interior Minister to Parliament to explain what he meant when he told the foot soldiers to take their time because other opportunities would come,” he stated.
He further urged the government to reconsider how leadership appointments are made within the security sector to safeguard institutional integrity.
According to him, key ministries such as Interior and Defence should ideally be led by experienced security professionals rather than politicians.
“The Interior and Defence ministries, in particular, are areas where I would urge the President to consider appointing retired senior security officers to such positions,” he said.
Kotin cautioned that continued politicisation could weaken the country’s security architecture.
“Otherwise, if we continue on the current path, politicians will come into these positions, pursue their interests, and leave. As the saying goes, ‘garbage in, garbage out’—what you put in is what you get.
“The senior echelon of our security architecture could become politicised because people may begin to believe that the only way to gain promotion is through political connections.
“So it is about time that, as a country, given what has transpired with this recruitment process, we begin to rethink how these appointments are made in order to safeguard the integrity of our security institutions.”
