Prof. Avea alleges job-for-sale under govt

A former Upper East Regional Minister and senior figure of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Avea Ephraim Nsoh, has alleged widespread corruption in public sector recruitment, claiming that some individuals pay huge sums of money to secure government jobs.

Speaking on Bolgatanga-based Dreamz FM, Prof. Nsoh disclosed that he is aware of several cases where job seekers allegedly paid thousands of cedis in exchange for employment opportunities, including positions within the security services.

“I know people who have paid for jobs,” he stated, adding that some of the schemes involve deception and the financial exploitation of desperate applicants.

According to him, the issue has already been brought to the attention of the authorities. He revealed that he had reported the matter to a sector minister and formally written to the President, although he declined to mention specific individuals involved.

Prof. Nsoh described the situation as deeply unfair to young people who work hard through school but still struggle to find employment without resorting to payments.

“This is very insulting to young people who struggle through school and still cannot get jobs without paying,” he stressed.

He further criticized both the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party, arguing that the problem reflects broader systemic failures rather than isolated incidents tied to a single administration.

The Professor warned that such practices could erode public trust in state institutions and discourage youth participation in national development.

Beyond recruitment concerns, Prof. Nsoh also raised issues about the awarding of government contracts. He argued that the over-reliance on foreign firms deprives local contractors of opportunities and weakens efforts to build domestic capacity.

“We are giving too much away while our youth remain unemployed,” he said, calling for deliberate policies that prioritise Ghanaian businesses.

He also questioned internal governance practices within political systems, urging leaders to align their actions with their stated ideologies and ensure equitable distribution of national resources.

Prof. Nsoh concluded by calling for strong accountability measures and structural reforms to tackle corruption and inequality.

“We must change the way we are doing things as a country,” he emphasized.