A security analyst Emmanuel Sowatey has proposed a lottery system for police recruitment in Ghana to enhance transparency and ensure alignment with the country’s broader national security strategy.
He also urged young political actors to move beyond partisan considerations in addressing systemic issues highlighted by recent recruitment controversies.
Speaking on The Forum, a weekend political and current affairs programme on Asaase Radio, Sowatey stressed that recruitment processes must be as open as possible. He also proposed a practical method to manage limited recruitment slots.
“The police should know that giving what the state wants us to do, we need these things: human resources, logistics. Anytime we are buying logistics or recruiting, we are tying what you are doing to the broader national security strategy,” he said.
“For now, given the numbers we have and the backdrop, one of the best ways we can move forward is to have a lottery system. We take all the applicants, pick maybe 7,000, and from the 7,000 we designate those who qualify and create a waiting list,” he explained, noting that this would ensure fairness and transparency while meeting operational and strategic needs of the Ghana Police Service.
Political oversight
Sowatey also highlighted the importance of active political oversight in strengthening governance.
“When you look at parliamentary hansard, most of the difficult and awkward questions come from the party in opposition,” he said. “Whether for opportunism or principle, they are brilliant questions, especially on security sector matters like the current police recruitment challenges.”
He cited MPs such as James Agalga and observed that while opposition members have historically pushed for accountability, partisan politics alone cannot resolve systemic problems. “These challenges go beyond the two main political parties and require broader engagement,” he said.
Public confidence
He urged young politicians to consider national development over narrow party lines.
“They should think beyond partisan orientation and contribute to solutions that strengthen governance and institutional processes,” he added, emphasizing the role of independent parliamentary select committees in restoring public confidence in critical state functions.
Ghana’s police recruitment process has recently drawn public attention due to delays and allegations of irregularities, underscoring the need for transparent procedures and robust governance mechanisms.
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