By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed has revealed that at least 10 recruits have been dismissed from Ghana’s security services training schools for violating a ban on mobile phone use.
According to the Minister, the dismissals are part of efforts to enforce discipline within the security services, where recruits are expected to strictly adhere to institutional rules.
Speaking to students of Sakafiya Islamic Senior High School in Kumasi, Mr Muntaka said some recruits attempted to conceal their mobile phones despite being instructed to surrender them upon reporting to training school.
He explained that some of the recruits were caught using the hidden phones at night to make calls, resulting in disciplinary action.
The Minister attributed the challenge partly to poor adherence to school rules at the secondary-school level, urging students to develop discipline and respect for institutional regulations if they aspire to join the security services.
He said more than 500,000 people applied to join the security services during the latest recruitment exercise, but only about 10,000 were selected, highlighting the need for those selected to demonstrate discipline throughout their training.
Over 6,000 applicants fail drug and mental health screening
In a related development, Mr Muntaka disclosed that more than 6,000 applicants were disqualified from the security services recruitment process after failing newly introduced drug and mental health assessments.
He said more than 100,000 applicants underwent medical examinations, prompting authorities to introduce additional screening measures beyond routine physical and laboratory tests.
According to the Minister, more than 4,000 applicants failed drug tests, while approximately 2,000 others were disqualified following mental health assessments.
Mr Muntaka said the additional screening was necessary to ensure that individuals recruited into the security services are physically and mentally fit to perform their duties.
The development forms part of efforts to strengthen recruitment standards and promote discipline and personnel wellbeing across Ghana’s security agencies.
