About 1,300 applicants in the recent security services recruitment exercise in Ghana tested positive for HIV during the mandatory medical screening stage, the Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has disclosed.The Minister made the revelation on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, when he appeared before Parliament’s Assurances Committee.According to him, the affected applicants were identified during medical examinations conducted as part of the recruitment process. Mr. Muntaka explained that the government deliberately withheld the medical results from applicants initially to ensure they received proper counselling before being informed of their status.“It would be inappropriate to inform someone of an HIV diagnosis without professional guidance and support,” the Minister said.He added that disqualified applicants were provided with contact details to enable them to seek clarification on their results and access counselling services. The approach, he noted, was to protect the privacy of applicants while ensuring they understood their medical condition and the support available to them.The Minister further revealed that the screening also detected other health conditions including hepatitis B, heart conditions, mental health challenges, previous major surgeries, and drug-related issues.He encouraged those affected to seek medical care, noting that some of the conditions are treatable and could make them eligible for future recruitment exercises.Mr. Muntaka urged all unsuccessful applicants to request their medical reports, saying some may be living with health conditions they are unaware of. “Early diagnosis and treatment can improve both their health and their chances of qualifying for future security service recruitment,” he stated.
