Chief of Staff calls for proactive policing at launch of former IGP’s memoir

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has called on the Ghana Police Service to make crime prevention the cornerstone of its operations, urging a shift from reactive to proactive policing built on visibility, intelligence, and trust-based community engagement.

He made the remarks during the official launch of "An Aroma of Policing: A Life of Service in Law Enforcement and Global Peacekeeping", a new memoir authored by Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, a former Inspector General of Police. The 681-page book, spanning 36 chapters, chronicles the author's humble beginnings, his leadership in transforming Ghana's police system, and his contribution to peacekeeping efforts.

Mr. Debrah described the memoir as more than a personal reflection, saying it represented a collective call to reform and introspection within Ghana's security apparatus. “This isn’t just a celebration of one man’s service—it’s a national moment for reflection on what policing should mean in a modern democracy,” he said.

He emphasized that Ghana’s law enforcement institutions must invest in leaders who embrace innovation, mentorship, and lifelong learning. Critical areas such as cybercrime, terrorism, forensic science, maritime security, and public order management require immediate attention through specialist training, he added.

Revamping police training academies, according to Mr. Debrah, is vital to creating a disciplined, well-equipped force. He also linked police professionalism to improved welfare, noting that the government remains committed to enhancing the living and working conditions of officers, particularly in health and housing.

Beyond domestic reform, Mr. Debrah announced the government’s intention to expand opportunities for Ghanaian officers, especially women, in regional and UN peacekeeping missions to boost the country’s international profile.

Inspector General of Police, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, also praised the memoir, calling it a testament to Mr. Alhassan’s innovative spirit and unwavering commitment to policing. He described the author’s tenure as IGP as a period marked by integrity and public trust restoration.

“This book should be on the shelf of every security analyst and practitioner seeking to understand the evolution of effective policing in Ghana,” Mr. Yohuno urged.

For his part, Mr. Alhassan shared that the book was born out of a desire to preserve institutional knowledge and offer insights from a life dedicated to service. He criticized the frequent abandonment of beneficial reform initiatives, stating that sustainable institutional growth requires continuity and purposeful change.

“Institution-building is not about constant reinvention. It is about thoughtful reflection, institutional memory, and the courage to stay the course,” he said.

The launch attracted a broad spectrum of law enforcement officials, policy makers, and academics, all united in their recognition of the enduring legacy of service and the need for a reimagined future for policing in Ghana.