IGP’s Bawku recruitment promise ‘unfortunate’ – Security analyst
Security analyst Richard Kumador has criticized the statement made by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, over his promise to give the youth in Bawku priority in police recruitment if they lay down their arms.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Friday, April 11, Kumador questioned the legitimacy and propriety of the IGP’s assurance, stressing that recruitment decisions of such magnitude require established guidelines and should not be made unilaterally.
“When he said they should lay down their arm, and they will be recruited into the police service, I think that is not a statement that should be coming from the IGP. He has not set up the criteria, he has not set up the modality.”
He emphasized the need to consult the Interior Ministry on whether due processes for such recruitment have been completed, particularly considering that the Ministry had earlier established a committee to develop proper modalities for entry into the security services.
“The Minister of Interior has set up a committee, which we need to ask the Minister whether the committee has finished up with the work on the modality for people getting involved into the security agencies, particularly the police.”
Kumador expressed deep concern over what he described as politicization and abuse of recruitment processes within the police service, warning that such practices have undermined the professionalism of the force.
“The police is weakened today because politicians and security officers who must know better have bastardized the place with recruitment, and people who do not have business joining the police are there.”
He concluded by urging the IGP to reconsider the recruitment assurance and adopt a more structured, lawful approach.
“It is an unfortunate statement, and I think he will need to look at it again and do something about it.”
Mr. Kumador’s comments came in reaction to remarks made by the IGP during a visit to Bawku earlier on Friday, April 11.
As part of efforts to restore peace in the conflict-affected area, the IGP assured the youth that a special police recruitment team would be deployed to the region and that those who disarmed would be given priority in the enlistment process.
