The Ghana Police Service is set to admit more than 700 cadet officers under Course 54 in what is being described as the largest single intake in the history of the Police Academy.
The unprecedented expansion, championed by Christian Tetteh Yohuno and the Police Management Board (POMAB), will introduce both residential and non-residential training models to address accommodation limitations while creating more opportunities for career progression within the service.
According to sources within the police administration, the move is intended to ensure that qualified Chief Inspectors who have remained stagnant in rank for years are not denied promotion opportunities because of infrastructure challenges.
The administration explained that the blended training model was not new, noting that previous police leadership had adopted similar arrangements whenever cadet numbers exceeded available accommodation capacity.
Historical records cited by the administration indicated that former IGPs, including Paul Tawiah Quaye and P.K. Acheampong, also implemented residential and non-residential training systems in earlier years.
Police sources said the current administration had, for the first time, allowed all 7,500 Chief Inspectors in the service to sit for the Police Academy Entrance Examination as part of efforts to widen access and ensure fairness.
Following an amnesty approved by John Dramani Mahama for candidates who narrowly missed the qualifying mark, more than 1,000 officers reportedly became eligible for admission into Courses 54, 55, and 56.
The administration also disclosed that additional officers who distinguished themselves in operational duties and crime-fighting activities had been recommended for admission.
To support the large intake, additional accommodation facilities have reportedly been secured within Accra, while officers residing within the Police Depot and Tesano areas will have the option of participating as non-residential cadets.
Authorities further indicated that lecture halls, logistics, transport systems, kitchen facilities, and support staff had all been expanded to ensure effective training and welfare for the cadets.
The police administration dismissed allegations of bribery and examination irregularities linked to the recent entrance examinations, insisting the process was transparent and merit-based.
According to the administration, no official petition had been lodged against the examination results, describing claims circulating in sections of the media as unfounded attempts to discredit the process.
