The Member of Parliament for Jaman South, Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (Retired), has challenged the credibility of claims regarding a so called ‘protocol list’ in the recruitment of applicants into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Col Damoah, who previously served at the GAF’s Directorate of Manpower Planning (DMP) between 2005 and 2009, asserted that the issue of protocol never arose during his tenure as the officer in charge of recruitment.
Speaking in an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio, the legislator acknowledged hearing recent claims about special allocations allegedly made for Members of Parliament, ministers, and other government officials during recruitment exercises. However, he stated that he would not endorse or validate those assertions.
He recounted his time at the DMP under former President John Agyekum Kufuor, where he firmly opposed any attempts to introduce protocol arrangements.
His stance, he revealed, led to him being summoned before the former President, as some political appointees at the time had taken offense.
Col Damoah explained that he used the meeting to outline the recruitment process to President Kufuor, who subsequently authorised him to adhere strictly to the established procedure, expressly forbidding any form of protocol consideration.
Col Damoah stressed that even if some form of preferential treatment were to exist, the individuals involved would still be required to undergo the same rigorous screening process as regular applicants.
“I have heard stories of protocol, but I can state categorically that protocol does not truly exist, in the sense that everyone is required to go through the process, and if you are not qualified, you will not be selected. I appeal to Ghanaians to exercise restraint in making such claims. While I worked at the Directorate of Manpower Planning, I did not entertain that,” he stated.
When asked specifically whether recruitment slots are reserved for politicians and other prominent figures, he responded, “I cannot confirm that for you at the moment.”
He then shared details of his encounter with the former President, “Let me tell an interesting story that happened while I was working at the Directorate. I was summoned before former President John Agyekum Kufuor and I explained the recruitment process to him.
“Prior to that, some people had made requests for protocol. After I clearly explained the procedure to him, he asked me to go and do my work and allow everyone to go through the process without any special treatment.”
Col Damoah concluded by expressing admiration for President Kufuor’s stance, “I was shocked that the President took that bold decision. I became proud as a Ghanaian because he was bold in telling us to do our professional job. He did not influence the recruitment process in any way. So, if I am to use that as an example, I can state that protocol does not exist. Even if it does, you must still qualify through the recruitment process.”
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