Tensions are rising over the fairness of Ghana’s public sector hiring practices after a government advisor publicly condemned the latest recruitment drive by the Police Service.
Dr. Theo Acheampong, who serves as a Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Finance, didn’t hold back in his assessment of the situation.
He is calling out what he sees as an unjust financial burden placed on citizens who are simply trying to serve their country.
In a pointed statement, Dr. Acheampong argued that the very idea of charging someone to apply for a government role is fundamentally wrong.
He stressed that positions funded by the public purse should be accessible to the public without a price tag.
“No citizen should have to pay money to pick up or fill out a form to apply for a government job, including positions in the security agencies,” he stated firmly. “It should be ILLEGAL.
These state bodies are funded by the very same taxpayers.”
To strengthen his argument, the economist took a deep dive into the country’s existing labour laws, suggesting that the current recruitment practices may not have a legal leg to stand on.
He referenced the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) to clarify where fees are, and are not, permitted.
According to Dr. Acheampong, the Act is very specific about who can charge job seekers:
1. Private Agencies: Section 7 of the Act does allow licensed private employment agencies to charge fees, but this comes with strict conditions and protections for the applicant.
2. Refund Policy: In fact, if a private agency fails to secure a job for a candidate within three months, the law mandates that they must refund 50% of the fees paid.
3. Public Recruitment: Crucially, Dr. Acheampong points out that there is no provision in the Labour Act that authorizes government departments to charge citizens for submitting job applications.
His comments have struck a chord, reigniting the national conversation about transparency and equal opportunity in public service hiring.
Many are now questioning whether these application fees create an unnecessary barrier for young Ghanaians hoping to join the security forces.
