The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has disclosed that only 5,000 applicants will be recruited into Ghana’s security services despite more than 105,000 candidates qualifying for the next stage of the ongoing recruitment exercise.

The minister revealed the figures while speaking to journalists in Parliament on Wednesday, March 11, following parliamentary proceedings.

According to him, the large number of successful applicants emerged after candidates undertook online aptitude tests as part of the recruitment process into the country’s security agencies. He said the total number of applicants comprised 75,000 tertiary graduates and 330,000 WASSCE certificate holders.

Mr Mohammed-Mubarak explained that although over 105,000 applicants had progressed to the medical screening stage, the limited number of available vacancies meant that only a small proportion would eventually be enlisted this year.

“We still have 105,000 who have qualified for medicals. In reality, the total number we can take after medicals is 5,000, so we still face a huge challenge,” he said.

The Interior Minister appealed to applicants who may not secure a place in the current recruitment to remain patient, stressing that the government intends to retain the details of qualified candidates for future opportunities.

He indicated that another recruitment exercise is expected in 2026, when the country is projected to have completed its economic programme with the International Monetary Fund.

“But the President has instructed that those who qualify and pass medicals, let’s keep their data. This is the first phase. The current recruitment is for 2025. Hopefully, when we are out of the IMF programme, we will conduct the 2026 recruitment and draw from the same pool of applicants,” he assured.

Mr Mohammed-Mubarak emphasised that the government remains committed to creating more opportunities for young people seeking to join the security services, but noted that current fiscal constraints limit the number of recruits that can be absorbed.

He said additional recruitment could be undertaken once the country’s economic conditions improve.