Minority Leader challenges Henry Quartey’s allegations on NDC MP’s security service recruitment practices

In response to accusations made by Interior Minister, Henry Quartey, regarding National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament (MPs) allegedly recommending individuals for recruitment into security agencies, Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has challenged the minister to substantiate his claims.

In a recent post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Dr. Forson deemed Henry Quartey’s assertions as both alarming and lacking in evidence.

He accused the minister of attempting to divert attention from the government’s alleged covert and unlawful recruitment practices ahead of the upcoming December 7 general elections.

During an interview on Accra-based Neat FM, Mr Quartey hinted at revealing the names of MPs involved in such activities if provoked, citing significant increases in personnel within security agencies since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) came into power.

“When the NPP came into power, the total number of personnel at the Ghana Immigration Service was 6,000, but today, because of President Akufo-Addo, they are over 14,000. About 12,000 have been added to the Ghana Police Service.

“When you gaze into the eyes of the dead, you would see a ghost; I’m going to leave it here, I won’t go down that lane. But if they dare us, we will mention their names and the people they brought over the years, but we will leave that for now.”

In response, Dr. Forson urged the government to refrain from improper recruitment practices and focus on addressing substantive issues.

He challenged the minister to name the individuals allegedly recommended by NDC MPs for recruitment, emphasizing the need for accountability.

“I find the recent statements by the Interior Minister, Henry Quartey, both alarming and baseless. His insinuation that members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have participated in improper recruitment practices without providing any evidence is a clear attempt to divert attention from the substantive issues at hand.”

“I challenge the Interior Minister to name the individuals he claims were brought forward by NDC MPs for recruitment.

“Let us move away from rhetoric and towards accountability. If the Minister cannot provide these names, then his statements must be seen for what they are: an attempt to distract from the substantive concerns we have raised.”

Dr. Forson further alleged that NPP parliamentary candidates have been given quotas to fill with party loyalists within security services. He called upon President Akufo-Addo and the government to cease this undemocratic practice, advocating for transparency and fairness in security sector recruitment.