The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on the government to immediately suspend the artificial intelligence based aptitude tests currently being used in the recruitment process for Ghana’s security services.
According to the Effutu Member of Parliament, the system has created significant challenges for many applicants, particularly those from rural communities who lack strong digital or information technology skills. He revealed that numerous complaints have been submitted by young people attempting to join the security services but struggling to complete the online aptitude tests.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on March 10, 2026, Afenyo-Markin explained that the introduction of the AI driven testing system is excluding many qualified applicants who are unfamiliar with digital platforms.
He stressed that while technology and innovation are important, the current approach may be unfair to candidates who do not have adequate access to computers or internet services.
According to him, expecting applicants from remote communities such as Pusiga or Bunkurugu to complete complex online tests without sufficient ICT knowledge puts them at a disadvantage and effectively eliminates them from the recruitment process.
The Minority Leader proposed that authorities consider reintroducing the manual aptitude testing method previously used by the military and other security agencies. He believes this would make the recruitment process more inclusive and accessible to all qualified applicants across the country.
He also highlighted financial challenges faced by many candidates who are forced to visit internet cafés to complete the test. In some cases, applicants reportedly spend money only to encounter technical glitches or system failures that prevent them from finishing the examination.
Afenyo-Markin further emphasised that the issue should not be viewed through a partisan lens but rather as a national concern that requires urgent attention from the relevant ministries and recruitment authorities.
The current recruitment exercise covers several security agencies including the police, fire service, immigration service, and prisons service. Authorities introduced the digital testing system partly to reduce human interference and corruption during recruitment. However, the Minority Leader believes the system must be reviewed to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all applicants.
