CPP criticizes Asiedu Nketia over security service recruitment comments

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has condemned comments by NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia about youth unsuccessful in security service recruitment.

In a statement, the CPP described the remarks as “reckless” and questioned whether they represent the official position of the government led by President John Dramani Mahama.

The party argued that the government had invited young people to apply for recruitment into the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Prisons Service, and Ghana National Fire Service despite having financial clearance for only about 5,000 positions.

According to the CPP, nearly 500,000 applicants paid GH¢220 each for recruitment vouchers, generating an estimated GH¢113 million.

“The statement by Johnson Asiedu Nketia is a mockery of the cheated and robbed youth who paid for recruitment into the security services,” the party said.

It added that government officials have a responsibility to create employment opportunities for the growing number of unemployed young people rather than making remarks that could be interpreted as dismissive.

The CPP is therefore demanding an apology from the government to affected applicants and a clear plan to address their employment concerns.

“The government must apologize to the affected applicants and present a new plan to employ them, while ensuring that the voucher monies are refunded as soon as possible,” the statement said.

The party warned that it would consider legal action on behalf of the applicants if the government fails to respond to its demands.

“We will not hesitate to sue the government on behalf of these young people if justice is not served,” the statement indicated.

The CPP further stressed that unemployment among young people remains a major national challenge and warned against narratives that portray frustrated youth as potential criminals.

“No amount of denial of decent jobs and opportunities will turn the Ghanaian youth into thieves or involve them in illegal acts,” the party stated, while expressing solidarity with those who were unsuccessful in the recruitment exercise.

The controversy follows remarks by Asiedu Nketia during a visit to the Ablekuma Central Constituency in the Greater Accra Region as part of his “Thank You” tour on March 13.

Addressing supporters, the NDC National Chairman urged young people to broaden their career options rather than rely solely on public-sector employment.

“If we talk about work, it is not all about government employment. No country can develop when everyone is chasing white-collar jobs,” he said.

He also highlighted initiatives introduced by the Mahama administration to promote skills training and entrepreneurship.

“That is why President John Dramani Mahama has introduced the free apprenticeship programme to benefit both the educated and the uneducated,” Asiedu Nketia added.

His remarks came after reports that about 500,000 applicants had sought recruitment into the Ghana Police Service even though only around 5,000 positions were available.