The Majority in Parliament has rejected the Minority’s call for a refund of about GH¢113 million paid by applicants who were unsuccessful in the ongoing recruitment exercise for the country’s security services.

The Majority caucus argues that during similar recruitment drives under the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, fees paid by applicants who did not progress in the process were also not returned.

Addressing the House on Monday, March 16, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga described the Minority’s demand as misplaced, stating that attention should rather be directed at tackling the growing unemployment challenge facing the youth.

Mr. Ayariga also defended the decision to permit nearly 500,000 people to apply for roughly 5,000 available positions in the security services. According to him, the approach was intended to give all interested and qualified Ghanaians a fair opportunity to participate in the recruitment process.

He noted that the overwhelming number of applicants highlights the extent of unemployment in the country and reinforces the need for broader economic measures to generate jobs for young people. He further assured that government remains focused on strengthening the private sector to expand employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticised the Majority’s stance, arguing that it contradicts the government’s much-touted reset agenda.