Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has urged the Ghana Police Service to prioritize crime prevention through proactive strategies, community partnerships, and modern training, stressing that reactive policing alone cannot address rising security challenges.
Speaking at the launch of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan’s memoir, An Aroma of Policing, Debrah emphasized the need for “visibility, intelligence-led operations, and rebuilt public trust” as pillars of reform.
The 681-page book, detailing Alhassan’s 36-year career and advocacy for community policing, served as a backdrop for Debrah’s remarks. “Our police must invest in leaders committed to mentorship, innovation, and continuous learning,” he said, highlighting urgent training needs in cybercrime, counterterrorism, forensics, and maritime security. He also pledged government support to improve officer welfare, including better housing and healthcare, and expand Ghana’s role in UN peacekeeping missions.
IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno praised Alhassan’s tenure for restoring public confidence through integrity-driven reforms. “His leadership built trust between police and communities,” Yohuno said, encouraging security analysts to read the memoir for insights into effective policing.
Alhassan, reflecting on his career, criticized the discontinuation of past reform programs, noting, “Institutions grow through continuity, not constant reinvention.” His book underscores the importance of institutional memory and sustained reforms to address evolving challenges.
The event reinforced calls for modernizing Ghana’s police training academies and adopting long-term strategies to align with global policing standards. With rising cyber threats and transnational crime, stakeholders argue that proactive prevention, anchored in community trust, is critical to national stability.
