10 Security Recruits Dismissed Over Mobile Phone Ban

Ten recruits undergoing training in Ghana’s security services have been dismissed for violating a ban on mobile phones, Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak has disclosed.

The Minister said the dismissals were part of efforts to enforce discipline and ensure that recruits adhere strictly to the rules governing security service training.

Speaking to students of Sakafiya Islamic Senior High School in Kumasi on Saturday, August 29, Mr Muntaka said the incident reflected a broader concern about indiscipline among some young people entering the security services.

According to him, more than 500,000 people applied for positions in the latest security services recruitment exercise, but only about 10,000 were eventually selected.

He explained that recruits are required to surrender their mobile phones when they report to training school. However, some trainees allegedly concealed their devices and continued using them, particularly at night.

“Some of them were caught. At least, I have been written to, at least about 10 students have been dismissed from training school for holding phones,” the Minister said.

Mr Muntaka questioned why recruits would deliberately disregard clearly established rules, arguing that discipline should be developed from the secondary-school level.

He urged students to take school regulations seriously, noting that the ability to obey rules and respect authority is essential for anyone seeking a career in the security services.

In a related development, the Interior Minister disclosed that more than 6,000 applicants were disqualified during additional medical screening introduced as part of the security services recruitment process.

Speaking in an interview with Pan African TV on Saturday, Mr Muntaka revealed that more than 100,000 applicants underwent medical examinations.

Due to the large number of applicants and concerns about the physical and psychological well-being of personnel within the security services, authorities expanded the screening process to include drug testing and mental health assessments.

The Minister said more than 4,000 applicants tested positive for prohibited substances and consequently failed the drug screening.

Another 2,000 applicants were disqualified following mental health assessments.

“Interestingly, over 4,000 people failed the drug test, and we have over 2,000 who also failed due to mental health conditions,” he stated.

Mr Muntaka said the additional screening measures were necessary to ensure that individuals recruited into Ghana’s security agencies meet the required physical, psychological and professional standards.

Source:3News