10 security recruits dismissed for hiding phones at training schools – Interior Minister

At least 10 recruits have been dismissed from Ghana’s security services training schools for breaching a directive banning mobile phones during training, Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak says.

The recruits were dismissed after they were found to have secretly kept their phones, despite being required to surrender the devices when they reported to the training institutions.

Mr Muntaka said the action was necessary to enforce discipline and ensure recruits complied with the rules governing the various security services.

He made the disclosure during an interaction with students of Satafiya Islamic Senior High School in Kumasi, where he discussed recruitment into Ghana’s security services and the standards expected of prospective recruits.

The minister said some recruits attempted to circumvent institutional regulations after being admitted, despite knowing the rules before beginning their training.

“Indiscipline: people got there, and they were hiding their phones in their pillows.”

He said recruits were required to surrender their phones as soon as they arrived at training school.

“First, the moment you get to training school, they take all your phones.”

Mr Muntaka said joining a security service came with strict responsibilities and required recruits to demonstrate discipline.

The disclosure comes as the minister highlighted the intense competition for places in Ghana’s security services.

More than half a million people applied during the latest recruitment exercise, but only about 10,000 were selected for training, according to the minister.

He described the recruitment process as rigorous, with a large number of applicants competing for a limited number of places.

The dismissal of the recruits illustrates the emphasis placed on compliance with institutional rules once applicants have been admitted for training.