Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr. Benjamin Agordzo has commended President-Elect John Dramani Mahama for assuring Ghanaians that new recruits undergoing training in the country’s security services will not face dismissal.
Speaking in an interview on Radio Gold on December 14, 2024, Dr. Agordzo highlighted the critical need for such assurances, given the high unemployment rate in Ghana. He stressed that mass firings of security recruits would have far-reaching social and economic repercussions.
Dr. Agordzo recalled a similar episode in 2017 when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, terminated the training of newly recruited police personnel shortly after assuming office.
“One of the things that pleased me this morning and part of yesterday was the former president’s assurance that no recruits in training would be dismissed under his leadership,” Dr. Agordzo remarked. “We are in a time when jobs are scarce, and securing employment brings joy not only to individuals but also to their families. To then face the possibility of being sacked due to a change in government is distressing.”
The retired senior officer recounted the abrupt dismissal of police recruits in 2017, noting that some had even completed their training when the directive came. “After the 2016 election, certain police recruits were sacked by this government. Some were in training, others had passed out, yet they were removed,” he stated.
Dr. Agordzo criticized the rationale provided for the dismissals, describing it as lacking merit. “The explanation was that they did not meet the recruitment criteria, even after they had gone through the required processes. For those of us with institutional memory, this reasoning doesn’t hold water,” he added.
He expressed relief that President-Elect Mahama had addressed these concerns proactively. “People deserve to work and live with dignity. This assurance is not about politics but about ensuring stability and the well-being of our citizens,” he emphasized.
The retired police officer reiterated the significance of Mahama’s pledge, urging future administrations to prioritize fairness and stability within the security services.
The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the need for depoliticized governance in national institutions, particularly those charged with safeguarding public safety.
