Police officer and artist extraordinaire: Chief Supt.Dr. Sarah Aba-Afari inspires KNUST graduates

Chief Supt. Dr. Sarah Aba-Afari from the Ghana Police Service, an innovator in her own right, shared her motivational life story at the just-ended 58th graduation ceremony of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. She was the motivational speaker of honour on 21st November 2024.

Chief Supt. Dr. Aba-Afari is the first female police officer in Ghana to hold a PhD. She spoke about her personal journey—the junctures of art, education, and law enforcement—that can make a difference.

In her speech titled "Policing With The Eyes of The Painter" to the graduating class, Chief Supt. Dr. Aba-Afari urged the students to embrace challenges, build their characters, and strive for excellence.

Recounting her professional life, she told her audience about her early life as a detective struggling with visual memory and how that made her pursue undergraduate training in painting from KNUST. The important skills she acquired as a student at KNUST were to be used later in her work in criminal investigations and also international peacekeeping operations.

Her address underlined her unique application of the methods of art in the process of understanding and healing. Drawing and painting had been used during UN peacekeeping missions to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sudan as ways of overcoming cultural barriers and establishing trust within the communities. Such an imaginative approach brought her respect and admiration because she managed to turn hostile environments into contact and cooperation grounds.

Besides peacemaking, Chief Supt. Dr. Aba-Afari has made giant strides in the sphere of art therapy, using creative expression to help victims of human trafficking shake off trauma. Her landmark research as a PhD student showed that art serves as a very powerful therapeutic tool, further sealing her fame as a many-sided professional toward service and innovation.

All along her sterling career, Chief Supt. Dr. Aba-Afari has been a police officer, art educator, evangelist, art therapist, counselling psychologist, and a UN peacekeeper. Her selfless dedication to public service eloquently speaks of her faith in the redemptive values of education and creativity.

She drummed home four important lessons to the graduating students, among others:

The power of persistence and self-belief. It all starts with believing in one's self.

The use of art to heal and connect. She emphasized that the creative element can transcend such divides and speak to people in ways words just can't.

The importance of lifelong learning and personal growth. Success and resilience through continuous education.

Serving the public is still vital and offers an opportunity to make an impact and leave an indelible mark on society.

The highly motivational speech by Chief Supt. Dr. Aba-Afari on determination and versatility has left a great mark on the graduating class, who are inspired to channel this passion in the pursuit of greatness in their chosen fields. For her sterling achievements, Chief Supt. Dr. Sarah Aba-Afari was honoured with an award at the ceremony.

She is currently the Madina Divisional Crime Officer in Accra. This is a personality with such commitment and excellence, with an inspiring story and work ethic that the graduating students can emulate.