IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno
A total of 12,802 police officers have been promoted by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) between January and the first week of February 2026.
The breakdown of the promotions indicates that approximately 11,900 officers from lower ranks were elevated by one rank, while around 600 officers received promotions based on special recommendations.
This elevation, according to a statement from the IGP’s Secretariat, spans from Lance Corporals to Chief Inspectors, addressing longstanding backlog of promotions, some dating back 10 years.
The statement said the initiative aims to motivate officers to work diligently and gain recognition for their efforts.
According to the Secretariat, the promotions were primarily administrative and based on special recommendations in accordance with the Police Service Regulations, 2012 (Constitutional Instrument 76).
Regulation 37 of CI 76 stipulates that promotions within the Ghana Police Service should be based on examination results, seniority, years of service, satisfactory performance assessments, or special recommendations for acts of bravery or outstanding duty performance.
The Secretariat acknowledged the sacrifices made by police personnel and stated, “They deserve fair treatment, and we are committed to ensuring that all officers are recognised for their contributions, regardless of their background.”
Media Claims Addressed
Responding to rumours of alleged nepotism within the police service, the Secretariat emphasised that, “Information was disseminated to all units, districts, divisional, and regional commanders to submit names of officers due for promotion. The administration arrived at the final list based on these submissions.”
It further clarified that promotions cannot solely be determined by the IGP, as outlined in CI 76.
The IGP’s Secretariat has received numerous petitions regarding perceived unfair treatment of certain officers. After reviewing these cases—including those involving officers on interdiction for over five years—many were acquitted and subsequently promoted.
Additionally, some families of deceased personnel who died in the line of duty submitted petitions, leading to posthumous promotions after thorough consideration of their cases.
The last mass promotion within the Ghana Police Service occurred in 2012 when a total of 141 police officers across the country were promoted by the Police Council.
During the promotional ceremony, the Late Former President, John Atta Mills, approved an honorary promotion for then Deputy Accra Regional Commander, ACP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who is now the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Then ACP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, was elevated to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), effective January 7, 2012.
Among those promoted to Chief Superintendents of Police were 57 Superintendents of Police including Lydia Yaako Donkor, who is now a Commissioner of Police and the head of the Criminal Investigative Department (CID).
The then Accra Regional Crime Officer, Superintendent Emmanuel Frank Adufati, was also promoted to Chief Superintendent of Police.
Furthermore, 18 Chief Superintendents were promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke