Accra: Presidential Advisor and Special Aide to President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, has clarified that no petition or report concerning a security sector scandal has been presented to the president. This statement comes after accusations from Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, who alleged that the Ministry of the Interior had engaged a private software developer to create a platform for AI-generated aptitude questions for potential recruits into security agencies.
According to Ghana Web, Joyce Bawah Mogtari responded to the issue during an appearance on Woezor TV on March 1, 2026. She stated, "I have not seen, and of course I'm not the president's legal counsel. I have not heard that a petition of any kind regarding a matter of this nature has actually been brought to the attention of His Excellency the President or his office for that matter." Mogtari stressed the necessity of evidence, pointing out that serious allegations must be backed by proper documentation.
Mogtari further challenged the allegations, dismissing them as "totally needless" and accusing the Minority Leader of diverting public attention. She remarked, "I consider that totally needless, short of just courting unnecessary public attention, I don't see whatever value that anybody will place on that effusion by the Minority Leader." Critiquing Afenyo-Markin, she questioned his decision to raise the issue during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament, suggesting that he should have used appropriate channels to handle such claims.
The controversy began when Afenyo-Markin expressed concerns about the recruitment process using the AI-powered platform for aptitude testing. He pointed out difficulties for recruits, especially those in areas with limited internet access, and indicated his intent to pursue the matter. The Minority Leader alleged a conflict of interest and potential criminality in the use of the Tribe Net platform, warning that a Mahama appointee could face imprisonment.
In Parliament, Afenyo-Markin alleged criminal conduct in the Interior Ministry's software deal, noting that the arrangement centralized the recruitment process, with a private developer creating a platform for AI-generated exams. The Effutu MP criticized the lack of institutional leadership involvement and questioned the fairness of the process for applicants.