The General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Mr. Kwame Nkrumah Botsio, has strongly advocated for a complete ban on partisan recruitment into Ghana’s security services.
Speaking on the issue, Mr. Botsio emphasized that the security services should not be treated like an educational institution where quotas might be allocated. Instead, it should remain a professional and neutral entity.
Mr. Botsio noted that allowing party-affiliated recruitment poses a serious risk to national security and governance. He argued that such practices could lead to political victimization and manipulation of security personnel.
Mr. Botsio proposed that recruitment processes should be enshrined in law to eliminate political bias and ensure fairness.
“If there isn’t any law against it, it should be codified that recruitment into the security services is based purely on merit. There should be no protocol involved. Maybe the only thing that you can look at aside from merit is maybe regional balance. That’s the only thing.”
Mr. Kwame Nkrumah Botsio General Secretary Convention People’s Party (CPP)
Mr. Botsio warned of the dangers posed by a security system that operates based on political loyalty. He expressed concerns about how such a system could be weaponized by political actors.
He elaborated on the potential consequences of such a practice, including politically motivated arrests and coercion.
Legal Implications of OSP’s Fugitive Declaration
Moreover, Mr. Botsio Turning his attention to legal matters took a bite on the Special Prosecutors’ (OSP) declaration of the former Finance Minister Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta as a fugitive of justice, and the alleged accusations of Mr. Ken Ofori Atta’s house being raided by security Personnel.
Mr. Botsio also addressed concerns over the legality of declaring individuals wanted without following due process.
“Going strictly legal, I think the NPP (minority caucus) has a right to speak up. As the adage goes, the thief is the one who has been caught. We have so many laws, and they say you are innocent until proven guilty.”
“As far as I know, you can only declare somebody wanted or a fugitive if a court of law has issued either an abscondal warrant, a bench warrant, or a warrant of arrest. I have not heard anything like that has been done. If the court has not issued that, you cannot declare him wanted. Unless the OSP Act gives him the powers.”
Mr. Kwame Nkrumah Botsio General Secretary Convention People’s Party (CPP)
He acknowledged that the former minister had a history of health issues even while in office. He suggested that legal procedures must be followed in handling such cases, and due consideration should be given to the medical condition of the accused.
“Even in court, if your client is absent, you have to bring a medical report at times. And it’s up to the court to either accept the medical report or do further investigations.”
Mr. Kwame Nkrumah Botsio General Secretary Convention People’s Party (CPP)
Mr. Botsio also addressed concerns that the ongoing investigation into the former minister might appear politically motivated as others described it as a Political witch-hunting.
“If they suspect something untoward, it is good to call him to question. But when it goes overboard, it may look like witch-hunting. The end in itself is a virtuous end, because we should all be held accountable wherever we are. But the means that is being used makes it look like a witch-hunt, but I don’t think it is.”
Mr. Kwame Nkrumah Botsio General Secretary Convention People’s Party (CPP)
Mr. Kwame Nkrumah Botsio’s remarks underscore the need for a depoliticized security recruitment process, adherence to legal due process in criminal investigations, and a balanced approach to accountability in governance.
He cautioned against the weaponization of the security services and emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust in institutions by ensuring fairness and legality in all proceedings.
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