Nitiwul Says Security Recruitment Expansion Was Not Well Thought Through

Minister of Defence Dominic Nitiwul has said that the decision to rapidly expand recruitment into Ghana’s security services was not carefully planned and needs further review.

In remarks during a public engagement, Nitiwul acknowledged that the recent directive to increase the number of recruits for the police, immigration, fire service and other uniformed agencies was introduced without full consideration of its broader implications. He said that while the intention was to create more jobs for young people, the approach should have involved detailed planning and assessment before implementation.

According to the minister, expanding recruitment too quickly without properly evaluating training capacity, budgetary requirements and long term sustainability could weaken the effectiveness of security institutions. He said that stakeholders should have been consulted to ensure that such a major change aligned with strategic goals and available resources.

Nitiwul noted that training facilities, infrastructure and personnel must be strengthened to accommodate a larger intake of recruits without compromising quality. He also emphasised that careful planning is essential when making policy decisions that affect national security and public safety.

His comments follow public debates over the large number of applications received recently from young Ghanaians wanting to join security services. Many applicants expressed disappointment after only a small percentage were shortlisted, despite earlier talk of expanded recruitment.

The Defence Minister said that recruitment policies must balance the need for more personnel with the reality of budget constraints and logistical preparations. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that recruits receive comprehensive training before deployment.

Nitiwul called for a more coordinated approach involving key government agencies, training institutions and security leadership to review the recruitment framework and set realistic targets that support both employment goals and security needs.

The developments have reignited discussions about youth unemployment, public sector job creation and the best ways to strengthen Ghana’s security architecture, with many urging transparent planning for future recruitment exercises.