Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has officially assumed the role of Chairperson of Ghana’s Police Council, vowing to lead a transformative agenda anchored in transparency, accountability, and justice.
At her swearing-in during a ceremony at the Presidency in Accra, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang pledged to work with Council members to restore trust in the Ghana Police Service and elevate it to meet modern democratic standards of policing.
“This is not a privilege, but a solemn duty to our people and the men and women of integrity within our police service,” she said. “The work ahead is serious and urgent.”
Resetting the Police Service: A National Priority
With public confidence in security institutions under strain, the Vice President used her inaugural remarks to outline a bold vision for a “reset” of the Police Service. She emphasized that the Police Council must be more than an advisory body — it must be a moral and strategic compass for law enforcement leadership in Ghana.
“We must promote a culture where the uniform is a symbol of honour, not fear,” she said. “Trust must replace suspicion, and professionalism must replace abuse.”
She promised that discipline would be enforced with fairness, and that internal injustices — including delays in promotions, discrimination, and mistreatment — would be tackled decisively.
Championing Community Policing and Human Rights
Central to the Vice President’s agenda is a renewed focus on community policing and human rights. She underscored that the Police Service must reflect the values of the society it serves — inclusivity, fairness, and respect for rule of law.
“Our police must be collaborators with the public, not just enforcers of law. The people’s safety and rights must always be central to our mission.”
She pledged to work with the Council to equip the police with the tools, training, and ethical grounding necessary to address evolving threats, from cybercrime to organized violence.
A Call for Collective Commitment
Addressing fellow Council members, the Vice President called for unity of purpose and ethical leadership in charting a new course for the Service.
“We may face challenges, but with integrity and collective wisdom, we will rise to meet the expectations placed on us,” she said.
The 10-member Council, constitutionally mandated to advise the President on internal security, also holds regulatory authority over police administration and officer promotions above the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police.
President John Mahama, who presided over the inauguration, described the Police Council as critical to restoring credibility and professionalism within the Ghana Police Service, urging it to rise to the occasion.
