Malfunctioning GPS: The Ghana Police Service recruitment process needs reforms - (Part 1)

Did you ever know that COP Dr Akuffo Dampare, the current IGP, started his police career as a constable? Whatever your answer, please brace yourself for impact as you read this sad story of my career as a junior-rank police officer.

I am a young ambitious Ghanaian who has always dreamt of serving Mother Ghana at the highest level. My passion is in the fields of maintenance of law and order, adherence to the fundamental human rights of all citizens and being the voice of the marginalised in the society into which I was born. After a failed attempt to join the Ghana Police Service (GPS) using my senior high school certificate in 2010, I decided to enrol into a university to study a programme that would enable me to become productive in my beloved rural community.

After the completion of the programme (Integrated Community Development), I proceeded to study business which I have always had an interest in since childhood. After graduating with a diploma in Integrated Community Development and a Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Business Studies, I decided to apply for the Ghana Police Service again to see if I would be lucky this time around.

I applied into two different categories just to be on the safer side; the Junior Ranks using my senior high school certificate and Under Cadet using my degree certificate.

Let’s say it; it is trite knowledge in Ghana that applicants without any strong familial ties nor connections have a very slim chance of getting enrolment using a degree qualification. Just as I was anticipating, I was selected for the junior officer rank (the one I applied for using my senior high school certificate.

The red letter day was soon here after much anticipation and I went for the training. I was optimistic that once I graduated from the training, my other certificates would be considered by the Ghana Police Service for promotion. After graduation, I was posted to the National Rapid Deployment Force (NRDF), a branch of the Ghana Police Service where we perform public order management, crowd control and other general duties including guard duties.

My commander at the time, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) then, but now Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abass Almeyao Qwarashi, who is an educationist and a decorated professional taught us a lot. He has vast experience in life, policing and education. I became even more motivated and encouraged by his advice given during our morning parade briefings. My first outside duty at the National Rapid Deployment Force was in Cape Coast. I was there to provide security for a West Africa Football Union (WAFU) tournament. There, I became close to one officer in charge then with the designation Sergeant Owusu; now he is an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) popularly called Pablo. Pablo took me as a son and mentee. I confided in him severally about my ambitions. On numerous occasions, he gave me the needed attention, advice and guidance. After some duties at the Asantehene’s mother’s funeral in Kumasi, I told Pablo I wanted to go back to school to enhance my skills. Schooling I believed would enable me to give more to the service I so much love.

Pablo agreed. He also promised to help me realise that dream whenever I was ready. With his help and guidance, I applied to Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) for the master's degree programme in Gender, Peace and Security (MGPS).

Thankfully, I gained admission. Through Pablo’s influence and that of Inspector Gyan, my commander granted me a permanent night duty for my study period since I was not qualified for actual study leave. I combined work with my studies until my successful graduation in 2019. As you’re expecting, I surely presented my new academic document to the Ghana Police Service as a matter of course. Just as I earlier did with both my diploma and bachelor’s degree “academic pomposities”. I received a congratulatory message from the service for my accomplishment and I was indeed very touched by the recognition. All this while I was still a constable - the lowest rank in the Ghana Police Service.

After some thoughts and consultations, I went to see Nana Asuma Hene, the then Director-General, of Human Resource Development of the Ghana Police Service (now retired), thanks to connections made by a friend who was a lecturer at the University of Ghana Faculty of Law. My request was simply to be granted a platform where I could exhibit what I had learned through further schooling. This I strongly believe would benefit the Ghana Police Service and the country at large.

But, sadly, that request was never given any consideration. I continued on my guard duties (at a bank). After four years and six months of policing and serving Mother Ghana diligently without any misconduct, I was finally promoted to the rank of lance corporal, the next rank after the constable rank.

All this while I was hoping and praying that things would change but the more things change the more they remain the same.