Ghana President Mahama announces 40,000 security service recruits

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a plan to recruit approximately 40,000 young Ghanaians into the country’s security services between 2025 and 2028. The initiative aims to expand employment opportunities and address youth unemployment.

During a town hall meeting in Goaso, the President noted that 12,000 people were recruited into various security agencies in 2025. This included over 5,000 personnel for the Ghana Armed Forces, approximately 4,000 for the Ghana Police Service, and roughly 2,000 collectively for the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Prisons Service, and Ghana National Fire Service.

Dr. Frank Bannor, a spokesperson for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Finance and Economy Committee, has challenged the feasibility of this plan. Questioning the sustainability of the recruitment pledge, Bannor called for a clear revenue mobilization plan to cover salaries without increasing the national debt. He highlighted that the government previously borrowed approximately GH¢17 billion to meet public sector salary obligations, expressing concern over the financial implications of expanding the public workforce.