President of the Institute for Security, Disaster and Emergency Studies, Dr Ishmael Norman, has commended Ghana’s Interior Minister for what he describes as rare moral leadership in the country’s political landscape.
Speaking on PM Express on Joy News on Wednesday, Dr Norman said the minister deserves praise for attempting to prioritise merit in recruitment and decision-making within the security sector.
According to him, such an approach represents a significant departure from the political culture that often influences recruitment processes in the country.
“I think we need to applaud the Minister of Interior for being a moral politician and a moral leader, trying to do the selection based upon meritocracy,” he said.
Dr Norman described the move as unusual within Ghana’s political environment, noting that it is rare to see recruitment efforts that seek to strictly prioritise merit over political considerations.
“This, for me, is the first time I’m seeing this kind of thing happen in Ghana, and I am totally immersed with admiration for them,” he stated.
He acknowledged, however, that implementing a merit-based recruitment system can be challenging, particularly when financial constraints and public expectations place pressure on decision-makers.
According to him, adopting a phased recruitment strategy could help authorities manage the financial implications while still maintaining a fair selection process.
“So that if they do it in phases, then they are able to accommodate more people, considering the budget and the financial implications involved in every single person that you hire,” he explained.
Despite these challenges, Dr Norman maintained that the approach taken by the Interior Minister and the selection committee remains the right direction for the country.
He also reflected on Ghana’s broader political culture, arguing that meritocracy often conflicts with entrenched expectations within the system.
“Meritocracy is not what Ghanaians want,” he said, suggesting that political patronage and identity politics frequently influence public expectations when parties come into power.
According to him, this environment makes it particularly difficult for leaders who attempt to prioritise fairness and merit in decision-making.
“It’s very, very difficult to go against the grain of the moral behaviour of the society,” he said.
Nonetheless, Dr Norman encouraged the minister and the recruitment committee to remain committed to the merit-based approach despite potential criticism and pressure.
“They are on the right path. They should do the right thing,” he said.