The Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building has called for an urgent audit of Ghana’s security-service recruitment and vetting processes following the dismissal of recruits allegedly found to have submitted forged or doctored WASSCE results.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Adib Saani, the Centre welcomed the removal of recruits whose credentials were proven fraudulent but said dismissal alone was insufficient.
The organisation questioned how applicants with allegedly fraudulent documents were able to progress through the recruitment process and reach training institutions. It urged authorities to introduce early verification of academic credentials with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) before applicants advance to subsequent stages.
The Centre also called for a full investigation into the cases and prosecution where criminal wrongdoing is established. It warned that individuals willing to falsify their qualifications to enter security institutions could pose broader risks to national security, given the access officers receive to weapons, intelligence, restricted facilities and sensitive information.
Jatikay urged authorities to disclose how many fraudulent applications were detected, how many applicants bypassed existing controls, how many remain in training and what safeguards will be introduced to prevent similar incidents.
“Verify before you recruit; vet before you train; prosecute proven fraud,” the Centre stated, stressing that the integrity of Ghana’s security services begins with the integrity of the people recruited to protect the country.
By Ishmael Oduro-Acheampong
