Economic policy analyst Senyo Hosi has mounted a strong critique of the government’s recruitment practices into the security services, describing the charging of application fees to job seekers as exploitative and unsustainable.
His concerns follow reports that more than 500,000 applicants each paid GH¢200 to participate in a recent recruitment exercise that is expected to absorb only about 5,000 successful candidates, raising questions about fairness and the financial burden placed on young Ghanaians.
Hosi characterised the situation as a growing “social problem” and called on government to immediately abolish the practice of charging fees to applicants.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts to modernise recruitment processes through digital platforms, including the involvement of private firms such as TribeNet, he argued that the current model unfairly shifts costs onto job seekers.
“I am not saying TribeNet should stop providing services, but the state must own the infrastructure. We cannot keep charging these children,” he stressed.
Mr. Hosi attributed the surge in applications to rising unemployment and increasing social pressure, noting that security service jobs have become one of the few perceived pathways to stable employment for many young people.
“When you see that pressure, you must adjust the model,” he said, urging policymakers to respond to the realities confronting the youth.
He further highlighted the human and economic cost of the policy, pointing to the struggles of families who invest heavily in their children’s education only to encounter additional financial barriers at the point of employment.
“These are poor people,” he said. “A farmer struggles to send a child to university hoping it leads to a job. The child graduates, pays recruitment fees, and if unsuccessful, returns home still dependent on the parent. What was the point?”
Beyond the immediate issue of recruitment fees, Mr. Hosi raised broader concerns about the absence of a coherent, long-term strategy to address unemployment in Ghana.
He warned that flagship economic proposals, including the concept of a 24-hour economy, would have limited impact if structural barriers—particularly access to employment opportunities—are not addressed.
“A 24-hour economy means nothing if you haven’t unlocked the supply chain and the human potential in this economy,” he argued.
Drawing on practical examples, he explained that businesses would naturally extend operations if demand exists, but emphasised that such demand can only be sustained when young people are meaningfully integrated into the workforce.
Mr. Hosi’s remarks have reignited debate over recruitment practices and youth unemployment, with many observers calling for reforms to ensure that access to public sector jobs is fair, transparent and not conditioned on the ability to pay.
