At least 10 recruits have been dismissed from Ghana’s security services training schools for violating a directive banning the use of mobile phones during training.
Minister of Interior, Muntaka Mubarak-Mohammed made the disclosure, saying the affected recruits secretly kept mobile phones despite being required to surrender them upon reporting to their various training camps.
According to him, the dismissals form part of measures to enforce discipline and ensure compliance with rules governing the training.
He made the disclosure when he interacted with students of Sakafiya Islamic Senior High School in Kumasi, where he spoke about recruitment into the security services and the standards expected of applicants.
The Minister expressed concern about indiscipline among some recruits who attempt to circumvent established rules after gaining admission.
He revealed that the recent recruitment exercise was highly competitive, attracting over 500,000 applicants, out of which only about 10,000 were selected for training.
He said the huge interest shows young Ghanaians’ desire to serve in the security services, but stressed that admission comes with responsibility and strict adherence to institutional rules.
“It was so vigorous that over half a million people applied. We ended up taking only 10,000. Indiscipline, people got there and they were hiding their phones in their pillows. First, the moment you get to training school, they take all your phones.
“Some decided to hide their phones and in the night, they were making calls. Some of them were caught. At least, I have been written to that at least about 10 students have been dismissed from training school for holding phones,” he said.
