Avoid politicising police leadership appointments - Asantehene cautions officers
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has cautioned senior officers of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) against lobbying for police leadership appointments whenever there is a change in government.
He has warned that such political manoeuvring undermines the independence, discipline and professionalism of the Ghana Police Service (GPS), describing the practice as unhealthy and damaging to the institution.
“When governments change, I hear some of you lobby to take positions even when there is an incumbent IGP.
I hear that, and I get to know that. Let us do it properly so that whoever comes knows that seniority and qualified people will be able to take over, and that should be the most important thing,” he said
The Asantehene made these remarks when he met the Police Management Board at the Police Headquarters in Accra during his visit to the Police Headquarters in Accra on January 7.
Leadership succession
He stressed that leadership succession within the GPS must be handled properly and transparently based on seniority, qualification and merit, rather than political connections.
He added that when due process was followed, the government would also be in a better position to recognise and appoint the most qualified officers.
“Police management board can even recommend who is there to do it. Lobbying and using political persuasions to take positions wouldn’t help the police to be more independent,” the Asantehene cautioned.
He disclosed that he had personally spoken to the current President on the matter and had been assured that there would be no political interference in police leadership appointments.
“I believe strongly, having spoken to the current President, I am assured that he doesn’t want to interfere and that if you go through the process and you are qualified, you will be appointed,” he said.
Police professionalism
He praised the professionalism of police officers assigned to protect him, attributing their conduct to the training they had received and stressed that policing should be seen as a calling rather than a job motivated by money.
“This profession must be a calling. If you don’t have the heart for it, I would advise you not to go. It is not about money,” he said.
He urged the officers to carry out their duties with devotion, compassion and firmness in enforcing the law.
While commending the police for their service, the Asantehene also acknowledged challenges within the force, particularly misconduct by some personnel that had tarnished the institution’s image.
Chieftaincy matters
Touching on chieftaincy matters, Otumfuo explained that traditional disputes were resolved through lineage-based systems, not money or influence, stressing that no one would be allowed to buy chieftaincy titles to create confusion.
He cautioned the police against unnecessary involvement in chieftaincy matters, saying once a chief had been properly nominated and gazetted, the role of the police was to provide protection, not to take sides or issue directives that undermined traditional authority.
“If you take sides, it creates problems for the whole institution and creates problems for the police,” he warned.
He further assured the service of his continued moral support, stressing that while he held no political authority, he would always offer guidance in the interest of peace, professionalism and national stability.
Enduring partnership
The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, described the Asantehene as a father, mentor and guide, noting that for more than two decades in Kumasi, he had played a key role in shaping his personal and professional life.
He said the presence of the Asantehene at the Police Headquarters was very significant, describing it as a strong symbol of the enduring partnership between traditional authority and state institutions in promoting peace, unity and national development.
He described the institution as a cornerstone of the country’s democracy and commended the leadership and personnel of the service for their dedication to duty, assuring them of the government’s continued support to enhance their capacity to maintain law and order.
Major success
The Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, said the service had recorded major successes during the Christmas and New Year period, following intensified nationwide operations aimed at ensuring a peaceful festive season.
Mr Yohuno disclosed that the Police Management Board had promoted several officers who distinguished themselves in combating armed robbery and other violent crimes, particularly in the Ashanti and Ashanti South Police regions.
He said about 30 officers from those regions were recently promoted for their role in clamping down on bank robberies, a move that led to improved security and renewed confidence among financial institutions and residents.
The IGP assured Ghanaians that the service remained committed to dealing decisively with highway robberies and violent crime, with the ultimate goal of enabling citizens to travel freely across the country without fear.
