A civil society organization, Anchoring Democracy Advocacy Movement Ghana (ADAM-GH), has petitioned President-Elect John Dramani Mahama to suspend and dismiss the ongoing massive recruitment into the national security service and other agencies. According to ADAM-GH, this last-minute recruitment is a clear sign of “Beast of Burden Syndrome,” aimed at putting the next government under serious financial strain.
The petition, dated December 17, 2024, alleges that the Narcotics Control Service has recruited 700 New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters who were campaigning for the party in the recent general elections. These recruits are scheduled to report to the Navy training school on December 18, 2024. ADAM-GH claims that this recruitment is not only biased but also unsustainable, given the financial burden it will place on the incoming government.
ADAM-GH’s Executive Secretary, Azubilla Emmanuel Abdul-Salaam, expressed concerns about the timing and transparency of the recruitment process. “Why must the NPP, after losing the election, do such massive recruitment before leaving power?” he asked. “What prevented the NPP from recruiting these huge numbers into the security service earlier before the elections if it is sustainable?”
The organization is calling on President-Elect Mahama to abolish and dismiss this biased recruitment and open it up to all Ghanaians. ADAM-GH also wants those who have been recruited to reapply and undergo scrutiny before starting training.
This controversy has sparked concerns about the outgoing government’s commitment to smooth transition and good governance. As Ghana prepares for a new administration, the issue of last-minute recruitment and appointments is likely to remain a contentious one.
