The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has described the ongoing security recruitment process as defective, raising concerns about fairness, transparency and the financial burden placed on applicants.
According to the association, the exercise exposed deep structural issues in how recruitment into the security agencies was conducted, particularly the requirement for applicants to pay for forms despite no guarantee of employment.
“In fact, the core premise of this process is flawed,” the President of the association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, said at a press conference in Accra yesterday.
Sale of recruitment forms
Mr Dwumfour questioned the fairness of the practice, arguing that many young people who were eager to serve the country were already struggling financially and should not be made to pay to access opportunities in public service.
He stressed that although the practice had existed for years, it must be discontinued, describing it as inappropriate and unhealthy for the country’s democracy.
Although he acknowledged government efforts to address youth unemployment through expanded recruitment, the GJA president maintained that the current approach placed undue pressure on applicants and undermined confidence in the system.
He called for the abolition of the sale of recruitment forms across all public sector institutions, insisting that applications for public service roles should be free to ensure equal access.
Politicisation of security recruitment
On politicisation, the GJA President warned against the growing involvement of political actors in recruitment into the security services, stressing that such institutions owed allegiance to the state rather than any government or political party.
He averred that the recruitment processes should be handled strictly by technocrats and security chiefs to preserve professionalism and public trust.
“The association further urges authorities to ensure that recruitment processes are fair, transparent and efficient.
The increasing use of Artificial Intelligence and digital tools must be carefully monitored to avoid bias or unintended exclusion of qualified applicants,” Mr Dwumfour said.
Media freedom
On media freedom, the GJA president welcomed moves to resolve the long-standing case involving Latif Idrissu of JoyNews and the Ghana Police Service.
The case stems from an incident in 2018 during a police operation and protest at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service in Accra, where Mr Idrissu was assaulted while covering a police-related story.
Mr Dwumfour commended the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, for opting for an out-of-court settlement after nearly eight years of legal proceedings, a decision he described as constructive and forward-looking.
“The association believes that, when concluded thoroughly and to the satisfaction of all parties involved, the settlement process will bring long-awaited closure to the case and reinforce confidence in institutional accountability and justice,” he said.
Mr Dwumfour said while the GJA supported the pursuit of justice for attacks on journalists through the law courts, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms also offered a path to fairness and institutional reform.
The GJA president also praised lead counsel, Samson Lardi Ayenini, for his sustained efforts in defending the rights and safety of journalists, saying his work had kept issues of accountability in focus.
Intimidation
The association also expressed concern over what it described as a growing pattern of police invitations and interrogation of journalists.
It cited a February 2026 incident where some senior editors were invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over alleged false publications, despite the matter being pursued in court as a civil case.
According to the GJA president, one such journalist was questioned over unsubstantiated allegations, granted bail and subjected to further interrogation, including scrutiny of private communications and seizure of working tools under unclear circumstances.
He also raised concerns over attempts to compel journalists to disclose sources during interrogations.
Mr Dwumfour, therefore, called for a repeal of the provisions in the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) and the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) that were often used to intimidate journalists.
“If you feel defamed, seek redress in the court of law. Do not hide behind the security service to intimidate and harass journalists,” the GJA president stressed.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh