The Minister of Interior, Muhammad Muntaka Mubarak has disclosed that more than 6,000 applicants were disqualified from this year’s security services recruitment exercise after testing positive for drugs.
Speaking at the commissioning of a newly constructed six-unit classroom block at Sakafiya Islamic Senior High School, the minister described the findings as shocking.
He revealed that authorities expanded medical screening for the recruitment drive—covering more than 100,000 applicants—to include drug tests and mental health assessments.
The expanded checks led to the disqualification of over 6,000 candidates, the majority for testing positive for one substance or another.
“It is shocking for us, this year’s recruitment exercise, when we decided to test on drugs, over 6,000 people were disqualified because they tested positive for one drug or the other,” Muntaka said.
“If we hadn’t done this, many of them would have gotten through into the security services,” he added.
The minister stressed that the government will no longer allow individuals known to be using drugs to join the public service.
“One other thing that we are going to do is to ensure that nobody gets into public service until we do drug test on you,” he stated. “We are not going to be allowing new more people to be joining when we know you are already on drugs.”
Muntaka acknowledged that the problem is not limited to prospective recruits as some serving officers in the security services are already struggling with drug use and said steps are being taken to support them in overcoming the challenge.
The minister also raised alarm over the spread of drug abuse in secondary schools revealing that some students are secretly selling tramadol and other harmful substances to their colleagues.
This, he said, further highlights a broader national challenge that requires urgent attention from school authorities and parents.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
