Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno has assured police personnel that all pending petitions regarding promotions and welfare will be addressed once the Police Council is constituted.
He reaffirmed his commitment to officers’ professional development and well-being, promising that outstanding cases would be referred for consideration.
The IGP made this commitment during a Regional Police Commanders’ Conference in Accra.
The event gathered regional police commanders from across the country to assess past efforts, exchange ideas, and strategize for future improvements in law enforcement.
Officers’ welfare
Mr. Yohuno emphasised the need to prioritize police officers’ welfare, including medical care, accommodation, and working conditions, noting that a motivated workforce is essential for effective security operations.
Describing his appointment as the 24th IGP as both an honour and a collective responsibility, he urged officers to serve with diligence and dedication.
He stressed that security must be “felt and not just seen,” with the primary goal of policing being to make the public feel safe and protected.
Key security challenges
The IGP highlighted illegal mining, the prolonged Bawku conflict, and increasing violent attacks on mobile money vendors as pressing security concerns requiring immediate intervention.
On illegal mining, he noted that armed criminals had been carrying out brutal attacks on innocent people, particularly in forest reserves and mining communities.
He declared a “war on crimes related to illegal mining,” directing regional commanders to take decisive action against perpetrators.
He also addressed the Bawku conflict, recognizing its significant national security implications.
He called on officers to apply their experience in conflict resolution to restore peace in the area.
Additionally, he condemned the rising cases of violent attacks on mobile money vendors, which sometimes result in the loss of innocent lives.
He urged law enforcement to adopt innovative crime-fighting strategies to combat such incidents, emphasizing that “criminals must not be allowed to outmanoeuvre law enforcement.”
Maintaining public trust
Mr. Yohuno acknowledged that corruption, police intimidation, excessive use of force, and procedural injustice undermine public trust in the police service.
He urged regional commanders to take proactive measures to address these concerns and encouraged all officers to serve with integrity, professionalism, and dedication.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Dr. David Agyeman Adjem, Director-General of Administration, also called on regional commanders to embrace innovation, strengthen community engagement, and lead with integrity.
Technology and community engagement
Dr. Adjem stressed that Ghana’s evolving security landscape requires a more agile, technologically advanced, and community-focused police force.
He urged commanders to take ownership of crime-fighting strategies and ensure criminals have “no refuge, no opportunity, and no loopholes to exploit.”
Highlighting the importance of public trust in law enforcement, he stated that policing is not just about enforcement but also about building strong relationships.
“If we are to build a safer Ghana, we must build stronger bridges between the police and the people. The reactivation and reorientation of our police-public relations officers is a step in this direction. When citizens trust the police, they share information. When they feel respected, they cooperate,” he said.
He further emphasized that public trust cannot be demanded but must be earned through transparency, professionalism, fairness, and equity.
Modernizing Ghana’s police force
Dr. Adjem lauded the reactivation and reorientation of police-public relations offices as a positive step toward improving community engagement.
He called for increased investment in modern policing technology and stronger international law enforcement partnerships to enhance Ghana’s security framework.
The DCOP urged commanders to leave the conference with renewed determination to serve, protect, and lead, ensuring a more effective and trusted police service in Ghana.
