President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to recruit approximately 40,000 young Ghanaians into the country's security services between 2025 and 2028. This initiative aims to expand employment within the public sector. The announcement was made during a Town Hall meeting in Goaso, the Ahafo Regional capital, as part of the Resetting Ghana Citizen Engagement programme.
The Town Hall meeting brought together traditional authorities, opinion leaders, and residents who posed questions directly to the President about the administration's performance. Mahama confirmed that 12,000 individuals were taken into the various security services during 2025 alone. The Ghana Armed Forces recruited more than 5,000 personnel, while the Ghana Police Service absorbed close to 4,000.
The Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Prisons Service, and Ghana National Fire Service collectively accounted for approximately 2,000 additional recruits. Mahama stated that the government intends to raise recruitment quotas across all agencies from 2026 through to 2028 to reach the overall target of 40,000 youth in the security services.
Mahama directed his remarks at young people who had previously applied but failed to secure a place, encouraging them to prepare for future recruitment rounds. He stressed that candidates must satisfy all prescribed qualifications, including passing both interviews and medical examinations, before they can be considered for selection.
The President used the Goaso engagement to reinforce the broader purpose of the citizen forum series, noting that accountability is a core obligation of any elected government. He described the engagements as an avenue for communities to raise concerns and for the administration to receive direct feedback on its work since taking office.
Mahama's announcement is part of a larger effort to promote government accountability and provide employment opportunities for young Ghanaians. The President has been engaging with various stakeholders across the country to gather feedback and discuss the administration's performance.
The recruitment drive is expected to provide opportunities for many young people who are seeking employment in the security services. With the target set for 40,000 recruits by 2028, the government is likely to face challenges in meeting this goal, but Mahama remains committed to making it a reality.
Key points
- President John Dramani Mahama aims to recruit 40,000 youth into Ghana's security services by 2028.
- 12,000 individuals were recruited into security services in 2025, with the Ghana Armed Forces and Police Service leading the intake.
- Mahama encourages unsuccessful applicants to reapply for future recruitment rounds.
