More than 6,000 applicants seeking to join Ghana’s security services have been disqualified after failing medical examinations linked to drug use and mental health conditions, the Ministry of the Interior has disclosed.
Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak revealed the figures during an interview on Pan African TV on Saturday, May 23, explaining that the latest recruitment exercise introduced stricter medical screening measures aimed at improving the wellbeing and professionalism of personnel within the security services.
According to the Minister, over 100,000 applicants underwent medical examinations as part of the nationwide recruitment process.
He stated that authorities expanded the traditional medical checks to include mental health assessments and drug screening due to growing concerns about behavioural and psychological challenges within some security institutions.
“Because of the large numbers, and because of what we have observed within the services, we introduced additional checks including mental health assessments and drug tests,” Muntaka said.
He disclosed that more than 4,000 applicants tested positive for drug use, while over 2,000 others were disqualified after failing mental health evaluations.
The Interior Minister stressed that the development demonstrates the need for more rigorous screening procedures to ensure only qualified and medically fit individuals are recruited into the country’s security agencies.
He added that the government remains committed to improving standards within the services and protecting the integrity of the recruitment process.
