Dzifa Tetteh launches 'Beyond the Polished Boots'

Award-winning journalist and Chairperson for the Tema Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association, Dzifa Tetteh, has launched her new book titled, "Beyond the Polished Boots.

 The book, subtitled "One Spouse's Experience of Marriage With a Security Service Officer", offers a personal and intimate account of Ms Tetteh's experiences as the spouse of a security service officer.

The event, held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra last Thursday, brought together a diverse group of individuals, including journalists, retired and serving security service officers, academics, the clergy and members of the public.

The President of the Police Ladies Association and Commissioner of Police, Mrs Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, who chaired the occasion, commended the author for her bold step in writing the book.

She identified with many of the concerns raised by Ms Tetteh and appreciated how the book projected the struggles of security service officers and their spouses, as well as some topical issues worth celebrating.

 She was particularly impressed with the book's discussion of transfers, the use of radios (walkie-talkie), perceptions of the public about security service officers and the challenges of juggling family life with work responsibilities and public demands.

COP Addo-Danquah called for a second volume of the book while promising to be a co-author. She believed that the second edition would, among others, provide an opportunity to share more experiences of security service officers and their spouses, ultimately leading to a better understanding and appreciation of their work by all persons.

 The former President of the Ghana Journalists Association and Vice-President of the Union of Journalists for Africa Free Press, Roland Affail Monney, launched the book and praised Ms Tetteh for going beyond her normal reporting duties to share her personal experiences.
He encouraged journalists to delve into solution-oriented journalism, focusing on solutions to societal challenges rather than just reporting on problems.

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Dwumfour, described the book as an achievement worth celebrating by the GJA and the entire media fraternity.

He was of the view that Ms Tetteh's book was a significant contribution to the understanding of the experiences of spouses of security officers, saying it provided a unique perspective on the challenges and struggles faced by these individuals, which had been well told by a spouse who was a journalist.

During a panel discussion, a senior journalist, Mr Gabriel Bosompem, and a retired Chief Superintendent of Police, Firmin Azitariga, both agreed, among other things, that the book is a must-read for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the experiences of security service officers and their spouses.

The author, Ms Tetteh said the decision to write about her experience as a spouse of a security service officer had not been an easy one but she had considered the possible benefit to society to motivate her to go ahead.

She expressed appreciation to her family and friends for their support and especially to a former President of the GJA, Ms Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, who had guided her throughout the work to make the book a success.

The first copy of the book was bought at GH₵10,000 by COP Addo-Danquah.