The Minority Caucus in Parliament has lodged a formal petition with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) concerning what it describes as discriminatory recruitment practices in several key security agencies.
The petition signed by the Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, and two other members of the Caucus underscored allegations that these recruitment processes contravene the 1992 Constitution and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice Act, 1993 (Act 456), by failing to ensure equal access and fair treatment for all potential candidates.
“Our attention has been drawn to a newspaper publication namely,” The Chronicle” of Monday 8th July 2024 captioned ‘Cutting down youth unemployment GIS, FIRE, POLICE, IMMIGRATION, AND NACOC TO RECRUIT 11K PERSONNELL…recruitments starts this week’.
“Additionally, we wish to refer to a Press Release Ref. No. PAD/PRESS/VOL.4/1/80 dated 7th July 2023 (‘The Press Release’) in respect of the purported conclusion of a recruitment exercise carried out by the GPS”.
Minority Caucus in Parliament
Constitutional and Legal Grounds
The Minority’s petition specifically referenced Article 218(a)(b) of the Constitution, which mandates CHRAJ to investigate complaints involving violations of fundamental human rights, abuse of power, and unfair treatment by public officers.
Additionally, Section 7(a)(b) of Act 456 according to the Minority Caucus reiterates CHRAJ’s role in addressing complaints related to public service recruitment practices.
“Furthermore, it is our considered view that, as administrative organs of the State and being part of the Public Services of Ghana as stated under Article 190 (1)(a)(b) of the Constitution, any recruitment exercise carried out by the GIS, GNFS, GPS, Prisons and NACOC must meet the constitutional and statutory thresholds, to wit, adherence to a balanced structuring, equal access (equal opportunity to all) and fair administration in relation to recruitments into the above-mentioned administrative organs of State/Public Services”.
Minority Caucus in Parliament
According to the petition, the current and planned recruitment processes by GIS, GNFS, GPS, Prisons, and NACOC fail to meet constitutional and statutory requirements for balanced structuring and equal access.
The complaint highlighted perceived violations of Articles 23 and 296(a)(b) of the Constitution, citing abuses of power and arbitrary actions by officials overseeing these recruitments.
“We further contend that the instant complaint invokes CHRAJ’s exclusive mandate as the Ombudsman, and hereby humbly petition that, in order to meet the constitutional and statutory threshold as alluded to above, the intended and purported recruitments by the GPS, GIS, GNFS, Prisons and NACOC, be investigated by CHRAJ to ascertain the extent of transparency of the recruitments as follows”.
Minority Caucus in Parliament
Specific Allegations and Investigative Requests
The petition called for an investigation into several aspects of the recruitment processes, including the processes and procedures, including the eligibility criteria resorted to or being resorted to by the GPS, GIS, GNFS, Prisons and NACOC for the reported recruitment.
Again, the petition raised concerns over the processes and procedures resorted by the GPS, GIS, GNFS, Prisons, and NACOC in selecting candidates from the purported backlog.
Additionally, the Minority Caucus in Parliament raised questions concerning the GPS processes and procedures, including the eligibility criteria resorted to in the selection of the last batch of successful candidates to conclude its 2021-2022 recruitment exercise.
Given the above, the Minority Caucus in Parliament sought several remedies/reliefs after the Commission investigated its complaint.
These reliefs include a directive ensuring that all future recruitments into these public services are publicly advertised in national newspapers, detailing the eligibility criteria for potential applicants.
“CHRAJ should direct that recruitments into these Public Services should be effected through public advertisements in the national”, the petition emphasized.
In addition, the Minority Caucus in Parliament requested a mandate requiring GIS, GNFS, GPS, Prisons, and NACOC to disclose the processes and procedures used for current and future recruitment from backlogs.
“Concerning applicants/candidates already shortlisted or being prepared for recruitments based on a purported backlog as announced per the ‘The Chronicle’ publication on the 8th July 2024 as well as the GPS and Prisons Press Release of 7th July 2023. CHRAJ should direct the GIS, GNFS, GPS, Prisons, and NACOC to provide details of the process and procedures adopted by them in line with the Constitution as well as Section 7(a)(b) of Act 456”.
Minority Caucus in Parliament
In conclusion, the Minority Caucus in Parliament urged CHRAJ to grant any other remedies/reliefs that it may deem fair and just to ensure transparency and equal access to security services, particularly the GIS, GNFS, GPS Prisons, and NACOC in terms of recruitment.
The petition underscores ongoing concerns about transparency and fairness in public service recruitment in Ghana.
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