When a young Constable was informed by his commander that the Police Administration had approved his promotion through a special recommendation for helping to arrest key suspects in a major robbery case, he could hardly believe it.
The Constable has always known that when one goes the extra mile to exhibit courage and valour in the discharge of their duties, they could be given special recommendation.
“But this hardly happens in the Police Service until the current Yohuno administration," he told the Daily Graphic, after being promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
His story mirrors that of hundreds of police officers across the country whose extraordinary commitment to duty has, for the first time in many years, received tangible recognition under a renewed special recommendation promotion policy being vigorously implemented by the Police Administration.
Regulations
Although Regulation 37 of the Police Service Regulations, 2012 (C.I. 76) provides for promotions based on meritorious acts of bravery, valour, crime prevention and outstanding performance, many officers say the provision had not been effectively implemented over the years.
As a result, deserving personnel have often been overlooked despite risking their lives in the line of duty.
Determined to reverse that trend, the Police Administration, led by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, placed renewed emphasis on rewarding excellence while continuing with regular administrative promotions.
The evidence
Figures from the IGP's Secretariat showed that 128 senior police officers received promotions through special recommendation, while 445 others earned administrative promotions, bringing the total number of promoted senior officers for the 2025/2026 promotion year to 573.
For other ranks, 11,970 officers benefited from administrative promotions in 2025, with 104 promoted through special recommendation.
In 2026, another 1,615 officers earned promotions through special recommendation.
The first half of the year alone also saw 482 Inspectors promoted to Chief Inspectors, 420 Sergeants elevated to Inspectors, 220 Corporals promoted to Sergeants, 234 Lance Corporals advanced to Corporals and 259 Constables promoted to Lance Corporals.
In all, 13,689 police officers — both senior officers and other ranks — have earned promotions since Mr Yohuno assumed office a year ago.
Distinguished services
Many of the officers recognised under the special recommendation policy distinguished themselves during dangerous operations, including the arrest of suspects linked to the Adabraka gold robbery, the rescue of robbery victims and the arrest of seven robbery suspects during operations in the Greater Accra and Eastern regions, the arrest of suspects linked to the GB Oil Filing Station robbery and murder and the arrest of suspects linked to the gruesome murder of the queen mother of Abamba near Atebubu in the Bono East Region.
Others played leading roles in anti-galamsey operations in the Ashanti and Bono regions, rescued kidnapped Ghanaians in Nigeria, apprehension of suspects linked to the Goil Filling Station attack at Kwafokrom near Nsawam in the Eastern Region. There were others who rejected bribes while arresting suspected narcotics traffickers. The list goes on.
For many beneficiaries, the promotions represent more than a new rank — they are proof that sacrifice and integrity matter.
"I want to thank the IGP and the Police Management Board for this great recognition. This means my efforts are being noticed. It has also encouraged my colleagues who are now working hard, knowing that their hard work will receive recognition," a newly
promoted Corporal said.
Another beneficiary, now a Chief Inspector, welcomed the initiative but urged fairness.
"Special recommendation should be purely based on officers who have gone over and above their normal duties to do the extraordinary to make their communities and Ghana safe. There are many officers doing remarkable work and they all deserve recognition," he said.
His concerns were also reechoed by a Senior Officer who was recently promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendentof of Police (DSP) and wanted to remain anonymous.
"I can tell you that if this policy is implemented well devoid of favouritism, the Ghana Police Service will benefit a lot because the men and women will give off their very best," he added.
An officer who served on the IGP's Special Operations Team and was promoted from Inspector to Chief Inspector, said the recognition reflected months of difficult assignments.
"We impounded hundreds of excavators during the fight against galamsey, restored peace in conflict areas and even participated in operations that rescued Ghanaians outside the country. These successes inspired us to keep serving. This recognition has strengthened our resolve to do even more for Ghana," he said.
Another newly promoted officer appealed for greater protection of personnel involved in high-risk operations.
"Since some of us apprehend dangerous criminals, our identities should not always be exposed in the media. Protecting officers also protects future operations," he said.
'Review Police Service Regulation'
The Deputy Director of the Intelligence Unit at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Deputy Superintendentof of Police (DSP) Mr Mohammed Abdul Hanan said every officer would be glad to be recognised in special ways such as promotions, so it "understandable for people to be happy when they receive such recommendations."
DSP Hannan who benefitted from same, lauded the current administration for strengthening the special recommendation policy.
He, however, called on the administration to fastrack the review of the Police Service Regulations to rope in officers who have also attained academic qualifications and are using it for the benefit of the service.
'Concerns well taken'
Responding to concerns raised by personnel, the Police Administration assured them that their welfare, safety and professional development remained central to its transformation agenda.
It assured that all promotions were done fairly by the Police Management Board (POMAB).
It said additional protective equipment was being procured to improve operational safety while measures were also being strengthened to safeguard officers engaged in sensitive assignments.
The Administration further gave the assurance that administrative promotions would continue to be processed promptly for eligible officers, while the special recommendation system would be expanded and applied fairly to ensure that acts of exceptional bravery, integrity and outstanding service never go unnoticed.
It expressed confidence that recognising excellence would deepen professionalism, inspire greater commitment across the Service and encourage every officer to pursue the highest standards of discipline and selfless service in protecting the people of Ghana.
