The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has stated that one of the proudest achievements of the Service in recent times has been police diplomacy, which has resulted in a partnership between the Ghana Police Service and the New York Police Department (NYPD).
The collaboration, he said, explored joint initiatives in technology-driven policing, counterterrorism, intelligence-led operations and urban crime prevention and that, he said, had started transforming the Ghana Police Service.
“As part of this partnership, we are arranging an exchange programme that will see police officers working between Accra and New York, learning, sharing and improving.
This is the new face of policing: educated, globally connected and technology-oriented.
It is proof that no dream is too big when guided by discipline and dedication,” IGP Yohuno emphasised.
The IGP gave the information when he addressed students and old students of the Okuapemman Senior High School (OKUASS) at Akropong-Akuapem in the Eastern Region as part of the old students' Homecoming.
The programme was on the theme: “Reconnecting to our foundation pillars of discipline, dedication and patriotism: Inspiring hope in the younger generation”.
As part of the Homecoming, the 1975,1985 and 1995 Year groups handed over development projects that the various year groups undertook to the school authorities.
IGP Yohuno, who is an old student of OKUASS, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Headmaster of the school, Rev. Richard Kwateng Afari, the staff and the old students’ association (Adehye) for maintaining a higher standard of the school.
He said in the Ghana Police Service today, the administration was working to make the institution one of professionalism, innovation and integrity, adding, “Gone are the days when people joined the Service because they had no other option”.
He said the Police Service now recruits professionals from all fields, including IT experts, accountants, lawyers, teachers, nurses, engineers and psychologists, to serve both nationally and internationally as modern policing required modern minds.
Disturbing trend
The IGP, who delved into national and international security issues, said the current generation had access to more opportunities than they ever dreamt of, stressing that “but with those opportunities come temptations, such as shortcuts, distractions and the desire for instant success”.
Mr Yohuno said from his security standpoint, it would be regrettable not to have addressed a disturbing trend that threatens the future of our youth today.
According to him, the obsession with quick success without hard work was disturbing.
“We are seeing an increasing number of young people turning to cybercrime, drug misuse, violent offences and other illegal activities in their quest for fast money.
Many of these young men and women are bright, educated and full of promise, yet they let impatience gradually ruin their future,” the IGP lamented.
He said these days, whenever the police arrested an armed robber, such a person appears gentle with a neat haircut, well dressed and polite, but beyond that appearance was a young man who had lost his way due to poor life choices.
He also talked about betting and gambling addiction, which were ruining many lives.
“Some young people borrow money to gamble, hoping to get rich overnight, only to lose everything and sink into depression. Some even attempt suicide. This is not the future we want for our young generation,” he advised.
He, therefore, urged the students not to be deceived by shortcuts in life, as such shortcuts were dangerous and could ruin their future.
The Girls' Head Prefect, Blessing Klenam Klakani, on behalf of the entire student body, thanked the IGP, for his inspiring advice.
She said as they celebrated the Homecoming of the old students, it reminded them that Okuapemman was not just a school but a family, a legacy and a symbol of hope for them, the continuing students in particular.
“We will remain focused, work hard and be true to the values that define this great school.
We will guard its image, preserve its traditions and carry its name wherever we go,” the head prefect said.
Rev. Afari, on his part, said the school’s management remained committed towards its goals of maintaining higher academic, moral and ethical standards as expected by the old students
