Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo-Danquah's Unforgettable Journey: From Rejection to Recognition

The story of Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah's ascent through the Ghana Police Service is a stirring tale of bravery, tenacity, and audacious choice. She was raised in a difficult financial situation after her father relocated to Nigeria, leaving her mother to raise eight children. She is originally from Konongo in the Ashanti Region. She sold bread, oranges, and cassava dough on the street while attending Bompata Secondary School to support her family. She worked hard to fund her education at Kumasi Polytechnic while maintaining this entrepreneurial spirit.

She was introduced to law enforcement by chance. She decided to follow up on a police recruitment notice she came upon while serving a customer. She took the gamble, unaware of the challenges that lay ahead. She first came in Accra on the day of recruiting, but she got off the bus at the wrong stop and had to walk for hours to get to the police depot. She was disqualified there for not being tall enough. Her perseverance led to a life-changing decision when Mrs. Jane-Christine Donkor, the head of the recruitment team at the time, decided to give her a chance at the admission tests.

She thrived after that. She excelled in the humanities and was named the finest cadet officer at the Police Academy in 1999. Later on, she became the first female director-general of the CID and the Ghana Police Command and Staff College. She has worked in foreign missions including Kosovo and currently serves as Executive Director of EOCO. She is well regarded and has further credentials as a professional accountant and author.

Despite some controversy, particularly in relation to the issue of the Takoradi missing girls, Maame Yaa continues to be a representation of strength and leadership. Her story demonstrates how perseverance and guidance can elevate women in fields that are controlled by males. Although it was regrettably vandalized, a commemorative bust was placed at EOCO in her honor. Her significant contributions were honored in the bust's inscription, which read "Obaatanpa Tiwaa Gardens."

Maame Yaa, who joined the police force in 1990, is married to Mr. Ofosu Addo-Danquah, who works at the University of Cape Coast. The couple has three kids together. Generations dedicated to achievement and public service have been inspired by her life narrative.