Gov’t Denies Suspending Security Recruitment Over Dried Up Funds

The Ministry of Finance has denied reports that the Akufo Addo administration has suspended recruitments into security agencies due to the government being too broke to foot the bill.

An April 21, 2021 press statement purporting to emanate from the Finance Ministry and allegedly signed by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta stated that President Akufo Addo had ordered that halt of all recruitments in the security services should be put on hold “until the rightful clearance or instruction is communicated”. 

According to the circulating communique, there will be no money for logistics and salaries for the new recruits if they were to complete their training.

The affected security agencies are Custom Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Ghana Police Service and Ghana Fire Service.

The only security service that is exempted is the NIB, which the purported letter claim is receiving its funding from Switzerland.

However, the Finance Ministry in a statement issued today has denied the April 21, statement, saying it is fake and should be disregarded.

The statement said the reports, which were based on a supposed official statement from the ministry was “an attempt by unscrupulous persons to create mischief.”

The said statement was circulated on Monday on social media with some news organizations already reporting it, but the ministry says it did it was not an official statement originating from the Finance Minister.

 “We wish to assure all stakeholders that the Ministry is focused on delivering on its mandate through the 2021 Budget and the Ghana CARES programme to ensure quick economic recovery and structural economic transformation,” it added.

While a cross-section of the public has accepted the Finance Ministry’s denial, others are convinced that the earlier statement was thrown out deliberately to test the pulse of Ghanaians.

Meanwhile, Whatsup News has intercepted scenes at the Ghana Trade Fair Company premises believed to be secret recruitment for men of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).

Videos seen by Whatsup News show mostly young men submitting some forms.