Henry Quartey sympathises with Muntaka over security recruitment pressure

Former Interior Minister and former Greater Accra Regional Minister Henry Quartey has expressed sympathy for the current Interior Minister, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, over the growing pressure surrounding the ongoing recruitment into the country’s security services.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning programme Dwaso Nsem, Mr Quartey said he understands the strain that comes with managing such a sensitive national exercise, noting that he faced similar challenges during his time in office.

“I feel for Muntaka. The seat you occupy sometimes comes with enormous pressure. I know what he is going through because I have been there before. I will not politicise the matter or blame him,” he said.

He urged the public to show empathy towards the minister, stressing that the level of pressure surrounding the recruitment process could easily affect a person’s health.

“Let’s rather pray for him. What he is going through can even make someone fall sick. At the moment, he is probably the most unpopular person within his party,” Mr Quartey added.

However, he criticised some party operatives for worsening the situation by creating intense expectations around the recruitment exercise.

“I blame some of his party people who have made the recruitment exercise feel like a war,” he stated.

Mr Quartey also raised concerns about the cost of recruitment forms and the general challenges associated with the process. According to him, the forms were significantly cheaper during his tenure.

“During my time, the forms were not even up to GH¢100, but now they are being sold for about GH¢350. The pressure from party supporters is high, and recruitment has always been a major challenge,” he explained.

His comments come after the Interior Minister disclosed that more than 105,000 applicants have progressed to the medical screening stage after nearly 500,000 people applied for recruitment into the country’s internal security agencies, even though the final intake is expected to be around 5,000 personnel.

Mr Quartey said the government must also address concerns about applicants who paid for the forms but may not secure employment, emphasising the need for clarity and fairness in the recruitment process.