Don’t politicise police promotions – President Mahama to Police Council

President John Dramani Mahama has warned against political interference and favouritism in the Ghana Police Service, describing such practices as harmful to morale and damaging to public trust.

He made these remarks at the Presidency during the swearing-in of the newly constituted Police Council on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Addressing the Council, chaired by Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Mr Mahama said the time had come for the service to reset itself and regain the confidence of the Ghanaian public.

He urged the Council to act with fairness and independence in discharging its duties.

“For too long, issues of politicisation, arbitrary promotions, disregard for seniority, unfair postings, and breaches of professional conduct have cast shadows over the service’s credibility,” he said.

“Do not allow power to overshadow fairness. Let professionalism, not political pressure, guide your decisions.”

Mr Mahama noted that many officers, both junior and senior, feel sidelined and demoralised, while members of the public feel unheard and unprotected. He said these conditions were unacceptable in a democratic society and must be addressed without delay.

The President reminded the new Council that its responsibilities extended beyond ceremony. Its role in guiding the conduct, welfare, and performance of the Police Service, he said, carried both moral and legal weight.

“You are now custodians of one of the most serious mandates in our Republic. This is not a task to be taken lightly,” he said.

He pledged the government’s support for the Police Council, including its efforts to improve discipline, uphold merit-based promotions, and restore respect for rank and experience within the service.

He also encouraged the Council to align with the administration’s RESET agenda, which seeks to raise standards across the public sector, including security institutions.

Mr Mahama spoke about the poor working conditions many officers endure, saying the government would invest in better logistics, accommodation, and psychological support for police personnel.

He announced that a large-scale retooling programme would soon begin to provide officers with the tools needed to perform their duties effectively.

While recognising recent progress in crime-fighting, such as the arrest of suspected robbers, kidnappers, and murderers, he said more must be done.

He urged the Police Council and the service’s leadership to strengthen intelligence-gathering and follow through on unresolved killings and violence in conflict-prone areas.

“This Council must embody the will of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Mahama said. “Let your work send a signal to every corner of the country that fairness still matters, that justice still lives, and that Ghana is still worth believing in.”

He closed by affirming his administration’s willingness to listen and act when the Council raises concerns, and said the government would stand behind lawful actions taken to restore order.

“This swearing-in is more than a formality,” he said. “It is a new beginning, a promise to build a police service that serves the people, not itself.”

Mr Mahama urged members of the Council to act with courage, fairness, and clarity, saying the future of the Police Service and Ghana’s broader democracy depended on the strength and fairness of its institutions.