The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has charged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and Regional Commanders to strengthen professionalism, accountability and effective leadership in the Ghana Police Service to meet the growing expectations of the Ghanaian public.
Speaking at the Police Regional Commanders Conference at the National Police Headquarters, the Minister stressed that Ghanaians expect a Police Service that is professional, visible, approachable and competent, with a strong focus on preventing crime and protecting citizens. He urged police leadership to build a Service that protects the weak, pursues the guilty and secures the innocent, while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
Hon. Muntaka also expressed concern about the growing practice of chiefs, political parties, individuals and organizations forming forces for self-protection. He cited the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999) and stressed that such unauthorized forces are illegal.
He urged the IGP and his Commanders to take decisive action to prevent vigilantism and bring perpetrators to book. The Minister also directed Commanders to stop the unauthorized recording and circulation of videos and images of recruits undergoing training. According to him the practice compromises the privacy, dignity and security of trainees and instructed commanders to put appropriate controls in place.
In his opening remarks, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, emphasised the need for a Police Service that actively prevents crime rather than merely occupying space. He encouraged commanders to engage fully in the conference and contribute to transforming the Service through effective leadership.
The IGP stressed that the Police Service must be one that protects the weak, pursues the guilty and secures the innocent, while remaining visible, approachable and competent. He also urged officers to hold themselves to the highest standards.
