The Member of Parliament for Jaman South, Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (Retired), has challenged the veracity of claims regarding a ‘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 did not arise during his tenure as the officer in charge of recruitment.
Refuting Recent Allegations
Speaking in an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio, the legislator acknowledged recently hearing claims about special allocations allegedly made for Members of Parliament, ministers, and other government officials during recruitment exercises. However, he stated he would not endorse 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. This 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 took the opportunity to detail the recruitment process to President Kufuor, who subsequently authorized him to adhere strictly to the laid-down procedure, expressly forbidding any form of protocol consideration.
Requirement for Standard Procedure
He stressed that even if a form of preferential treatment were to exist, the individuals involved would still be required to navigate 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 (DMP), I did not entertain that,” Col. Damoah stated.
When specifically asked to confirm 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 the interesting story of his summons before 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 examined 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, expressing his admiration: “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.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
