Ghana’s police service has been ranked among the best in Africa since the World Index of Homeland Security and Policing (WISPI) recently released its 2017 rankings of police performance.
All over the world, the police service is established for maintaining law and order in society. They ensure life and property are protected and in a case where these core objectives are disregarded, the police service has become ineffective.
While there is no such thing as a perfect institution, the frequency of failure invariably determines the level of moral rot in an environment. Ghana must have achieved excellence to be recognized as one of Africa’s top police services.
In early October, Inspector General of Police David Asante-Apeatu said the Ghana Police Service was taking conscious and practical steps to become the best in Africa within 4 years.
“The Ghana Police Service strives to become a first-class police service capable of delivering planned, democratic, protective and peaceful services in accordance with international best practice standards.”
And as clearly stated there, their key functions include:
- prevention and detection of criminal offenses,
- arrest and prosecution of criminals,
- maintaining law and order,
- protection of life and property.
Ghana Police Service has a well-structured organizational chart that facilitates the execution of their work, duties and services. When there is a lack of clarity in the division of labor, the workflow is flawed and chaotic.
The West African country has set an example for the rest of the continent with their organizational structure. At the head of the Ghana Police Service is the Office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP). He is followed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, assisted by the Director General of Police Administration.
The deputy IGP and DG have the mandate to monitor the activities of the regional police commanders. There is a regional commander for each regional police division, which is responsible for all operational and administrative tasks.
These regional commanders carry out their operational responsibilities in cooperation with the regional operational commander; While performing administrative tasks, they are assisted by their deputies and the regional detectives.
The Ghana Police Service has employed over 30,000 police officers in 651 stations across the country.
In total there are 12 departments in Ghana; 10 of them for all regions of the country; 1 for the Seaport in Tema and 1 for the Railways, Ports and Ports Division.
The country’s police force is also considered to be one of the busiest on the continent. Despite this, the institution faces allegations of corrupt practices.
The Ghana Police Service is one of the Ministry of Interior’s sectoral organizations (PSOs). In order to keep officers interested, it is necessary to incentivize the noble and sensitive profession.
Benefits for Police Officers
Courtesy of IGP, Appeatus Administration, An insurance contract was introduced guaranteeing GH¢50,000 coverage for officers who die in the line of duty. In addition, three children of the deceased officials are supported from kindergarten to university education. He also says that in the event of accidental or natural death, the late officer’s family would be entitled to GH 25,000. If an officer has a permanent disability, they are entitled to GH¢25,000.
In general, police enjoy benefits, retirement packages, and insurance coverage options that typically outperform those offered by private employers. In some agencies, regardless of age, full retirement is possible in 20-25 years. That means if you start early, you can retire in your 40’s and start a new career while still collecting your police pension. Many countries equalize workers’ pension contributions, and some agencies offer tuition fees so you can continue your education while maintaining full-time employment. Other benefits may include generous time off, takeaway vehicles, and free access (and time paid for) to health/fitness facilities.
Other African countries with the best police
According to the WISPI ranking, these countries have the best police forces in Africa:
- Botswana
- Rwanda
- Algeria
- Senegal
- Tunisia
- Egypt
- Burkina Faso
- Ghana
- South Africa
- Morocco
Nigeria tops the list, followed by DR Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Zambia and Madagascar.
Singapore is the world’s best rated, followed by Finland, Denmark, Austria and Germany.