Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, has called on the Ghana Police Service to adopt a more proactive approach to crime prevention, emphasizing the need for a shift from reactive policing to strategies that prioritize early intervention and community trust.
Speaking at the launch of a new book by former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, titled “An Aroma of Policing: A Life of Service in Law Enforcement and Global Peacekeeping,” Debrah highlighted the importance of intelligence-led operations and robust community partnerships in modern policing.
“This event is not just a celebration of one man’s remarkable career, but a call to rethink the very foundations of law enforcement in Ghana,” Debrah said.
He stressed that modern policing must be grounded in visibility, effective intelligence gathering, and collaboration with communities to prevent crime before it occurs. This, he noted, requires significant investments in technology, training, and leadership development within the Ghana Police Service.
Debrah also underscored the need for specialist training in emerging areas like cybercrime, counterterrorism, public order management, forensics, and maritime security, noting that these skills are essential for building a disciplined, modern police force capable of meeting 21st-century challenges.
The 681-page memoir, which spans 36 chapters, offers a comprehensive account of Alhassan’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a transformative leader within the Ghana Police Service. It also reflects on his contributions to community policing and global peacekeeping, capturing both his personal story and the broader evolution of Ghana’s law enforcement landscape.
Current IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, praised Alhassan’s tenure as a period marked by groundbreaking reforms that restored public trust and improved police-community relations. He encouraged security analysts and law enforcement professionals to study the book as a valuable resource on effective policing.
Alhassan, reflecting on his career, emphasized the importance of institutional continuity, warning that the frequent abandonment of reform programs undermines long-term progress.
“Institutional growth relies on continuity and purposeful reform, not constant reinvention,” he said.
Debrah echoed this sentiment, calling for a renewed focus on mentorship, innovation, and continuous learning within the police service, alongside better working conditions, healthcare, and housing for officers.
The event underscored the broader call for a modernized Ghana Police Service, capable of both preventing crime and serving as a model for effective, community-oriented policing in the region.
