COP Lydia Donkor
THE DIRECTOR-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, COP Lydia Donkor, has joined the INTERPOL Africa Committee as the only Ghanaian and female member.
Following her election to join the committee, COP Donkor’s new position not only recognises her distinguished career and leadership within the Ghana Police Service, but also a milestone for women in policing across Africa. Her presence on the committee underscores the growing importance of gender inclusion in high-level security and law enforcement decision-making structures.
Being the first Ghanaian to serve on a regional committee of the world’s largest police organisation (INTERPOL) makes her a true trailblazer for women in policing. Her testament to Ghana’s leadership in global policing and a reflection of her personal commitment to justice, accountability, and security.
The newly formed INTERPOL Africa Regional Committee serves as a vital platform for the enhancement of law enforcement cooperation across the African region. Its objects include, but are not limited to, identifying strategic priorities in the fight against crime and proposing a recommended course of action to the African Regional Conference, and advising on issues of criminality and police cooperation specific to the Africa Region.
Other members nominated to the committee for a four-year term are Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa, while Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Sudan were nominated to serve two-year terms on the committee.
Speaking at the INTERPOL Africa Regional Conference, COP Lydia Donkor indicated that the Ghana Police Service, being the law enforcement agency in Ghana, has a state-of-the-art Digital Forensic Lab, dedicated to fighting cybercrime.
“I touch on arrests made, malicious infrastructure and websites taken down, assets recovered, and the strong collaboration with telecom providers and INTERPOL member countries to share information and disrupt cross-border crimes. Ghana is proving that through innovation, partnership, and consistency, we can make our digital space safer for all,” she stated.
The INTERPOL Africa Regional Conference brought together 56 countries to build stronger cooperation, drive innovation, and strengthen partnerships against the growing threats of transnational organised crime.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke