Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has proposed a 10 percent quota for cadet students to be recruited and enlisted into the various security services upon completing their education.
He believes this initiative will help address the manpower needs of the country’s security agencies.
In addition, Dr. Bawumia suggested that July 1 be designated as a national youth day in Ghana.
He made these proposals during the 64th Republic Day celebrations and the 70th anniversary of the cadet corps in Ghana.
“I am happy that over the years, the government has deemed it necessary to create opportunities for the youth, the national cadet corp to have their day celebrated in July every year. It will not be a misplaced priority if in the near future, the first July is set aside as a national youth day for the Republic of Ghana since there is no day set aside as Ghana’s youth day in some other countries.”
He emphasized the importance of security agencies recognizing and nurturing talents from the national cadet corps and other volunteer groups by allocating quotas for their recruitment.
“It is time for the various security agencies to take a critical look at unearthing brilliant talents like what we have witnessed today from the national cadet corp and other sister volunteer groups, by giving them some quota and opportunities when it comes to recruiting and enlisting into the various security services,” Dr Bawumia said.
He noted that, “this is very important and will help the manpower of the service, the discipline and knowledge they get from this training are very rich and can be tapped into.”
The Vice President also noted that many of the country’s esteemed security chiefs were former cadet corps members during their school years. He mentioned that while a 2 percent recruitment quota had been requested for the national cadet corps last year, he believes a bolder step is necessary.
“I am informed that most of our good security chiefs across board were once upon a time members of the cadet corps, when they were in school. I hear that last year you asked for a quota of 2 percent of recruitment to be given to the national cadet corps, but I don’t think based on what we have seen today, I don’t think that is bold enough. I believe we should start with a minimum of 10 percent”.
