How do you expect security officers not to take bribes when they bribed to get enlisted? – A Plus

Political activist, Kwame Asare Obeng, known widely as A Plus, has wondered how security officers can be incorruptible when they have to bribe their way into becoming officers in the first place.

He deplored past and present governments for not taking steps to address the well-known phenomenon of people have to bribe before they are recruited or enlisted into the security services, describing the country as a “jokers paradise”.

“A country where if you are not on a “protocol, list” you have to pay bribe to become a customs, immigration, military or police officer but told that it is a crime to collect bribe when enlisted. Sometimes you even have to pay to be on the protocol list. Please they are lying. It is not any crime biaaa!! Collect!!” he said in a Facebook post.

“Jokers paradise!! Who in both past and present governments doesn’t know about this? What has been done about it to help the ordinary people who qualify to be enlisted? Without “protocol” the “so help me God” in the national pledge is the only hope in this Nyame Bɛkyerɛ Republic,” he lashed out.

Recruitments into Ghana’s security services are often marred with allegations of corruption and favouritism, with people with powerful political connections referred to as “protocol” having the upper hand.

Security analysts have said that recruitment or enlistment of undeserving persons into the various security services pose a danger to the stability of the country. But the phenomenon has persisted and seems to be gaining acceptance from the public.