Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called for a review of the digital aptitude testing system used in recruitment for the country’s security forces, warning that the current process may disadvantage applicants from rural communities with limited access to technology.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Afenyo-Markin said while the introduction of digital systems by the military was a positive step, the approach should be adjusted to ensure fairness for candidates who lack basic digital skills or internet access.
“Mr. Speaker, the military did something good. They created a system where people entered to write the aptitude test directly. Mr. Speaker, if it is possible, the system should be changed to enable our boys and girls who are even not educated on ICT to write it manually, so that a proper system is put in place which will allow them to go into the AI space,” he said.
The Effutu lawmaker said the growing reliance on artificial intelligence and digital platforms for recruitment assessments risks excluding applicants from remote areas who may not have the resources or training to participate effectively.
“I am for AI. I am for IT. But you cannot suddenly call someone from Pusiga or Bunkurugu who knows nothing about IT and ask them to write an aptitude test using AI. If they don’t have the means, they fail,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin added that the issue is increasingly becoming a burden for members of Parliament, as constituents seek assistance to access internet services or computer facilities required to complete the tests.
“And once you join the force work and you are told that go and write aptitude test via AI and if you don’t have any means, you fail. Mr. Speaker, this is not political and I don’t want it to be misconstrued. I think it is a serious system challenge that the ministry would have to look at properly because it is us the MPs who are carrying the burden and I speak for the entire house,” he said.
“I speak for the entire house. People go to the cafe and then they get on the computer and they go through all manner of challenges. Mr. Speaker, I would plead, I would plead that the whole system be reviewed,” he added.
The minority leader’s comments come as Ghana accelerates efforts to integrate digital technologies and artificial intelligence into public administration, raising questions about digital inclusion and equal access the country.
