IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno laying wreath to commemorate police fallen heroes ob ser vation
Ghana, a country known for its peace and democracy, is grappling with a disturbing rise in attacks on those who have sworn to protect against internal threats. Some criminal elements have resorted to killing law enforcement officers in the line of duty.
In 2025 alone, 20 police officers were killed while on duty, with the majority being victims of attacks by these criminal elements. Of the 20 departed souls, one was a female and 19 were male.
These officers woke up each morning knowing dangers awaited them, yet they marched forward with courage, serving with unwavering commitment to protect the very people who attack them.
They served in various units across the country – General Duty, CID, MTTD, SWAT, Formed Police Units, Highway Patrol, Visibility Units – their contributions stretching across communities, cities, and the nation.
Some months ago, armed robbers launched an attack on a bullion van and killed Lance Corporal Calystus Amoah, serving at the National Protection Unit at the Police Headquarters. The young officer, married barely a year before his demise, left behind a toddler.
Constable Emmanuel Osei was shot by armed robbers at James Town in Accra, along with a female trader, during a bullion van robbery in June 2021.
The unidentified armed men, who were on motorbikes, crossed the bullion van and started shooting sporadically. In the process, two people were shot dead instantly – the police officer on escort duty and a trader who was caught in the crossfire.
These officers are more than just personnel; they’re parents, siblings, friends, and colleagues with dreams and aspirations.
This New Year, nine suspects were remanded into prison custody for assaulting police officers on duty at the Tweapease Senior High School Park in the Ashanti Region.
The assault was captured in a viral video, sparking significant public attention and official condemnation.
These pockets of attacks on police officers has far-reaching consequences for the country’s democracy as it undermines public trust in law enforcement and the government ability to maintain order.
If police officers who are trained to protect citizens are targeted, it can embolden criminals and lead to more crimes. And insecurity can deter investment and hinder economic growth.
President John Mahama has vowed to take a tough stance against criminals who attack police officers. Speaking at the handing-over ceremony of 100 new police vehicles on Thursday, January 8, he warned that anyone found guilty of harming or killing officers will face severe consequences.
“Recently, we attended a memorial service for officers who’d lost their lives in the line of duty over the past year – several shot by armed robbers or other criminals,” Mr. Mahama said. “This serves as notice: we’ll deal ruthlessly with anyone who harms, injures, or kills a police officer. We’ll hunt them down and neutralize them.”
The Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka, has condemned growing incidents of attacks on police officers, stressing that such acts are unacceptable and have no place in a civilized society. With emphasises on the facts that anyone who raises a hand against a police officer “strikes at the heart of the state” and will face firm consequences under the law.
It’s time for Ghanaians to stand together against this scourge and demand a safer, more secure future for all. Citizens should desist from attacks on police officers because it puts lives at risk, escalates violence, and undermines efforts to maintain law and order.
Such attacks also create a hostile environment for officers doing their job, ultimately affecting public safety. By choosing peaceful interactions, citizens can help build trust with law enforcement and contribute to a safer community for everyone.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke