The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has announced that Ghana will not open the security services recruitment portal to new applicants in 2027.
Instead, the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana National Fire Service and Ghana Immigration Service are expected to consider qualified applicants from the 2025/2026 recruitment exercise who passed the required screening and medical examinations but have not yet been called for training.
Speaking before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on October 20, 2026, the minister explained that the decision followed a directive from the President. He added that the next recruitment intake would depend on the availability of financial clearance and training facilities.
Government Plans to Recruit More Security Personnel
Mr Mohammed-Mubarak said he was pursuing approval to recruit an additional 10,000 personnel in 2027. However, he could not confirm when training would begin or how many applicants would be selected.
The minister explained that the government had previously secured financial clearance to recruit 10,000 people, but the number of qualified applicants exceeded the available vacancies. Personnel currently undergoing training are expected to complete their programmes by the end of December, potentially creating room for another batch.
He stressed that limited financial resources and training facilities meant the recruitment exercise would have to be conducted in phases.
Police Service Faces Personnel Shortage
The Interior Minister disclosed that the Ghana Police Service currently has approximately 50,000 personnel, compared with an estimated requirement of between 70,000 and 80,000 officers.
He noted that even if approval were granted to recruit an additional 20,000 or 30,000 officers, existing training facilities would not be able to accommodate everyone simultaneously.
The government must therefore balance recruitment targets with available funding, accommodation and training capacity.
What Happens to Applicants Still Waiting?
Applicants who passed the 2025/2026 recruitment process but have not received training invitations may still be considered during the next intake, subject to approval and the ministry’s recruitment arrangements.
The minister also addressed concerns about candidates who exceed the prescribed age limit while waiting for training, saying the matter would be considered if it arises.
Female applicants who became pregnant after completing their medical examinations have reportedly been asked to return home to deliver, with the minister indicating that they would be considered during a subsequent recruitment round.
Over 100,000 Applicants Qualified for Further Screening
The 2025/2026 security services recruitment exercise was conducted through the Centralised Services E-Recruitment Portal (C-SERP), which opened on November 17, 2025, and closed on December 19, 2025.
According to figures previously announced by the minister, approximately 390,000 people initially applied to join the four security agencies. More than 100,000 passed the aptitude test, which required a minimum score of 65 per cent, while about 105,000 qualified for medical examinations.
At the time, approximately 5,000 recruitment places were initially available. In May 2026, the minister said the President had intervened with the Finance Minister to increase the proposed intake from 5,000 to 10,000.
He also reported disqualifications following drug tests, mental health assessments and other medical screening procedures.
Applicants Advised to Follow Official Recruitment Updates
The decision not to open the recruitment portal in 2027 means prospective applicants should not expect a fresh application window for the four security agencies next year.
Attention will instead focus on qualified candidates from the previous exercise, although selection and training will depend on financial clearance and available spaces.
Applicants are encouraged to follow official announcements from the Ministry of the Interior and the respective security agencies for updates on recruitment, training invitations and the next intake.
Source: newsthemegh.com