"Women In Policing Are Impacting Significantly On Law Enforcement In Diverse Ways" - Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare has revealed that women in policing are impacting significantly on law enforcement practices in diverse ways across the country.

According to the Chief of Staff, the encouraging momentum towards creating a more balanced public safety service is fueled in part by a growing appreciation of certain unique and cherished qualities that women often bring to law enforcement.

Speaking at the 70th Anniversary Climax Parade of Women Policing In Ghana in Accra, she said "One critical area where women in law enforcement can make a difference is in addressing violence against women and sex crimes"

Quoting a study conducted by the University of Zurich, Madam Osei- Opare revealed that as female representation increases among officers in an area, violent crimes against women in that area reduces, and female related domestic violence cases become more frequently reported.

"The study further asserts that women are relatively less likely to use excessive force in solving crimes. They also help to improve Police-Community relations, and possess superior problem-solving skills. They are very skillful in intelligence gathering and its management and are perceived by communities as being more honest and compassionate"

She added that in recognition of the significant role played by women and the importance of their participation in peace operation, United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000) and 2214 (2015) has called for the doubling of the number of uniformed women.

"Pursuant to this, the Police Division has undertaken several measures that have resulted in significant increase in the deployment of women Police officers in field missions"

"Women Police officers also play a critical role in promoting peace and security by playing crucial role in operations, monitoring and reporting of violations, addressing impunity, and promoting accountability leading to enhanced rule of law, recovery and reconciliation"

The Chief of Staff also, mentioned that the Police Administration has developed a new Client Service Delivery Strategy aimed at enhancing service delivery and improving Police-Community relations guided by the core values of integrity, civility, professionalism, respect for Human Rights, transparency and accountability, and responsiveness and partnership.

"My dear ladies in uniform, I urge you to continue to wear that clothe of patriotism and support this agenda to make Ghana Police Service one of the best law enforcement agencies in the world"

"Under Article 200 (3) of the 1992 Constitution of this country, the Ghana Police Service Is tasked with a unique core mandate of maintaining law and order which expands to the protection of life and property, apprehension of offenders and enforcement of all laws. I urge all Policewomen to support the Police Administration to stem the adverse tide within the Service for the citizenry to repose confidence and trust in the Police Service"

She charged the Police Administration, through consultative processes guided by stakeholder inputs, to roll out career development programmes to equip its members with the requisite knowledge and skill on contemporary policing and emerging crime trends to keep pace with everyday happenings.

"Let me reiterate that government will continue to support and consolidate the gains you have made since 1952. It is my expectation that after a month-long celebration, you will develop and adopt a blueprint which will have a far-reaching impact not only on Policewomen, but the Service as a whole"

"I wish to thank the IGP once again and all retired IGPs for adopting and promoting policies over the years which have resulted in female Police empowerment and brought Women policing this far. I also want to express my profound gratitude to the Executive Council of POLAS, both past and present, for organizing this month-long historic ceremony and making it a success. More grease to your elbow for the energy, drive and initiatives which has made Women Policing which it is today"

"The Police Ladies Association (POLAS) of Ghana has ‘Arise and Shine’ as its slogan which has brought inspiration and sense of empowerment amongst the female fraternity within the Service to rise above all odds to make their individual and collective contributions count. In line with government’s commitment to the promotion of human rights and empowerment of women, ratification of key international instruments has been done"

"The National Gender Policy has been developed with comprehensive insights into the empowerment, rights, access to justice, leadership and accountable governance, gender roles and relations, and economic opportunities for women. A lot of commitment has also been made to the Sustainable Development Goals and Ghana’s National Development Frameworks"

Maame Osei-Opare reminded the gathering that Ghana is among the comity of nations with the best gender equality ratio in policing across the world.

She stressed that female recruitment into the Police Service has significantly increased from a humble beginning of 12 policewomen, 70 years ago, to 12,454 out of the total of 43,546 representing 29%.

She added that there are currently 282 female senior officers out of total of 1,456 Senior officers in Ghana Police Service which represents 19%.

"At the highest decision-making level, that is, the Police Management Board (POMAB), there are four top senior female officers occupying key strategic positions and actively taking part in the overall decision-making for the operational and administrative direction of the Service"

"Amongst these top senior female officers, one has been appointed to head the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) one of the nation’s key specialized agencies under the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice responsible for monitoring and investigating economic and organized crimes"

Showering on the Executive Director of EOCO, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, she hinted that having worked with her for the past eight months, she was convinced that her hard work and commitment to duty reflects all Policewomen in the country.

"Not only have Ghanaian policewomen won awards locally, but they are also highly recognized by the United Nations and the International Association of Women Police. This is a testimony to your slogan as you continue to rise and shine each passing day. We are proud to celebrate you today because of the invaluable contributions you continue to make to the socio-economic, cultural, political, justice administration and human security, among others. We applaud you all for these remarkable achievements"

She assured that government has a policy that further enhance and continue to provide a clear framework for addressing inequalities, which are deeply rooted in the society.

The Chief of Staff noted that the National Gender Policy has been developed with comprehensive insights into the empowerment, rights, access to justice, leadership and accountable governance, gender roles and relations, and economic opportunities for women.

"We will continue to ensure that female Police officers continue to benefit from these initiatives"

The 12 Police Women honoured today include: Late PW1 Rosemond Asiamah, Late PW2 Cecilia Mensah-Bonsu, Late PW5 Otelia Milne Dekowski, Late PW7.Juliana Acheampong and Late PW.8, Grace Akoto.

The others include; Late PW.9, Juliana Attrams, Late PW.10, Selina’ Oppong Elizabeth, Late PW11 Elizabeth Nana Lamptey and Late PW.12. Elizabeth Badu.

Surviving officers are; PW3, Margaret Darkwa, PW4 Adelaide Tagoe (Now Mrs Adelaide Appiah) and PW6 Gladys Parker-French (Now Mrs Korankye).

Citations will presented to tue surviving female Police Women while families of the deceased also took theirs in memory of their lost souls.

Some high-profiled personalities such as Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare among others were presented with a citation each for their tremendous contribution to women empowerment in the country.

In an exclusive interview with PW4 Adelaide Tagoe (Now Mrs Adelaide Appiah), she said "I am happy with the beautiful display I saw today. We didn't get that chance"

She charged women in the Police Service to allow discipline and determination guide them as they serve the nation.

PW6 Gladys Parker-French (Now Mrs Korankye) appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare to allow more women to be enrolled onto the service.

She was optimistic that with enough women in the service, it will help bridge the inequality gaps in various fields of work.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith