President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated a new 10-member Police Council with a sweeping mandate to lead transformational reforms and restore waning public trust in the Ghana Police Service. The Council is chaired by Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
At the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, President Mahama emphasized that the Council’s role was more than ceremonial — it was a call to action in a period of heightened scrutiny and public dissatisfaction with law enforcement.
“You are now custodians of one of the most essential mandates in our Republic — to guide the conduct, welfare, and effectiveness of our National Police Service,” the President said, urging the Council to act boldly, impartially, and professionally.
President Mahama acknowledged that both citizens and police officers are frustrated — with concerns over arbitrary promotions, politicization, and the erosion of professionalism within the Service.
“Many officers feel sidelined. The public feels unheard and unprotected,” he noted. “The time has come to reverse this trend.”
He charged the Council with re-establishing internal morale and public confidence through reforms rooted in transparency, accountability, and community-focused policing.
The President outlined a vision of modern policing grounded in empathy, citizen engagement, and technological advancement. He called on the Council to support reforms that promote community policing, improve psychological and logistical support for officers, and bolster crime-fighting capabilities in a rapidly evolving security environment.
“Security is not just the presence of armed men. It’s when citizens feel safe in their homes and confident in the institutions that serve them,” Mahama said.
He emphasized the need to upgrade intelligence-gathering, enhance training, and modernize operations in line with the government’s broader Reset Agenda.
With growing threats like cybercrime, human trafficking, and terrorism, the President said the Ghana Police Service must become a “21st-century institution” that is agile, ethical, and technologically capable.
“Let our police service become accountable, forward-looking, and truly a force for good — respected, not feared,” he said.
In her acceptance remarks, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the Council and pledged to uphold the rule of law, equity, and transparency.
“We are committed to leading with integrity and ensuring the Police Service reflects the values of justice and inclusiveness,” she affirmed.
The Council’s inauguration marks a significant moment in Ghana’s policing history, signaling a deliberate effort by government leadership to align security institutions with democratic ideals and citizen-focused service delivery.
