Muntaka pledges merit-based promotions of officials, probe promotions as interior minister

Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, Member of Parliament for Asawasi and nominee for the position of Interior Minister, has pledged to reform the promotion system within Ghana’s security services if approved.

Speaking during his vetting process, Muntaka expressed concerns regarding the seemingly automatic nature of current promotions, particularly within the Ghana Police Service, which he said, needs to be improved.

Muntaka stated that there appears to be a misinterpretation of the “at least four years” criteria for promotions, with some assuming it means automatic advancement after that duration, which he said is not the case. He stressed that this system, which prioritizes time served over merit, may be demotivating.

He advocated for a move towards a more transparent and merit-based system, similar to those used in the private sector, which includes clear performance reviews, documented criteria, and potential for faster advancement based on outstanding performance.

“One of the things that I also heard, which I will look into, into real details, is that almost everyone, especially the Ghana Police, almost everyone that needed to be promoted had been promoted. I will look into it,” Muntaka said during his vetting, indicating his willingness to thoroughly investigate the promotion processes.

Muntaka also emphasized the need for clear documentation of the promotion criteria and the importance of educating security personnel in the process.

He added that he recognized that security agencies are experts in their fields and that there was the need to learn from other jurisdictions to improve Ghana’s security agencies promotion process.

His comments signal a potential shift in how promotions within Ghana’s security services could be handled should he be approved as Minister of Interior.

The proposed changes aim to ensure that promotions are based on performance and dedication rather than just time served.