Tag Archives: IGP

IGP Yohuno receives plaudits for new crime-combating strategies

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has received praises for his crime-combating strategies since assuming office few months ago.

His commendation comes at a time the IGP has adopted fierce methods of clamping down on criminal activities, especially robbery and kidnapping.

Such praises have also been showered on the new CID Boss, DCOP Lydia Donkor whose appointment into the office has brought back confidence in the Police Service.

The latest to commend the leadership of the Ghana Police Service is a Chief in the Central Region, Neenyi Essiful, who has written an article to applaud Mr Yohuno.

His article comes on the back of the arrest of a notorious robber known as ‘The Lone Ranger’ who, for the past 2  years has been on Police wanted list for robbing in Accra’s prime neighborhoods like Cantonment, East Legon and Dzorwulu.

Lone Ranger was arrested recently through a collaboration with law enforcement agencies in Togo.

According to Neenyi Essiful, The international dimension of the arrest highlights a critical strategic shift in how the Ghana Police Service is approaching crime fighting under IGP Yohuno.

“No longer content with internal efforts alone, the service has opened itself to partnerships with regional security organisations and foreign police services, embracing the reality that crime in today’s globalised world requires global solutions,” the Chief noted.

 

Below is the article;

18/05/2025

UNMASKING THE LONE RANGER: A TESTAMENT TO STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND INTERAGENCY IN CRIME FIGHTING

For over two years, a mysterious criminal dubbed *The Lone Ranger* operated with remarkable stealth and precision, leaving a trail of fear and frustration across some of Ghana’s most affluent neighbourhoods—Cantonments, East Legon, Ashongman Estates, Dzorwulu, Achimota, and beyond. Despite multiple deployments and efforts by various units of the Ghana Police Service, this elusive robber proved to be an enigma, evading capture and making a mockery of traditional policing methods.

Teams of over 150 officers drawn from the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) in Accra, Kasoa, Tema, Takoradi, Kumasi, and Koforidua, together with the CID Headquarters, Formed Police Unit (FPU), and the National Operations Department’s Surveillance Unit, were deployed under the tenure of the then Inspector General of Police (IGP). However, these massive deployments lacked a coherent strategy, tactical planning, or international coordination—resulting in wasted resources and a demoralised public that began to question the capability of the police to deliver safety and security.

The narrative changed dramatically with the appointment of Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new IGP. In just two months into his leadership, Mr. Yohuno has showcased what visionary leadership and strategic oversight can achieve in the realm of national security. The recent arrest of the Lone Ranger in neighbouring Togo stands not only as a monumental success but also as an embodiment of the power of international cooperation, intelligence sharing, and interagency synergy.

Under the new leadership, the Ghana Police Service embarked on a highly strategic, intelligence-led operation that leveraged both local and international networks. Recognising that modern crime knows no borders, IGP Yohuno has sought the cooperation of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the National Signals Bureau, and the Police Intelligence Directorate, with support from external partners including Interpol and law enforcement counterparts in Togo.

Key to this breakthrough was the relentless effort and coordination provided by the Director-Generals of the Police Intelligence Directorate and CID, COP/Mr. Peter Baba Atiniak and DCOP Lydia Donkoh. Their commitment to tracking high-profile criminals and dismantling organised crime networks has proven pivotal. Under their guidance, the PID and CID adopted advanced profiling techniques, improved forensic analysis, and worked around the clock to establish communication with counterparts outside the country.

The international dimension of the arrest highlights a critical strategic shift in how the Ghana Police Service is approaching crime fighting under IGP Yohuno. No longer content with internal efforts alone, the service has opened itself to partnerships with regional security organisations and foreign police services, embracing the reality that crime in today’s globalised world requires global solutions.

In less than two weeks, the police under this new administration have not only tracked and arrested the Lone Ranger but have also dismantled a well-coordinated kidnapping ring that operated across the West African sub-region. These successes are not mere coincidences but the product of intentional leadership, strategic planning, and the courage to do things differently.

This newfound effectiveness speaks volumes about the capabilities of the Ghana Police Service when it is properly led and adequately supported. Mr. Yohuno has infused a sense of purpose, discipline, and direction into the service, reminding officers and the public alike that crime can be fought—and won—when the right leadership is in place.

Beyond the tactical operations and arrests, what is most impressive is the transparency and professionalism with which these operations have been conducted. Gone are the days of silence and misinformation. The service is now more proactive, engaging, and responsive to public concerns, working hard to regain the trust of Ghanaians who, for too long, felt neglected and unprotected.

The success story of the Lone Ranger’s arrest should serve as a rallying cry for all Ghanaians. It affirms the importance of public cooperation in fighting crime. Without actionable intelligence from the public, even the best-led police force will struggle. As citizens, we must embrace a culture of shared responsibility—where we provide timely and accurate information to law enforcement, report suspicious activities, and hold one another accountable.

We must also acknowledge and commend the efforts of officers on the ground—the unsung heroes who risk their lives daily to protect ours. The officers who followed leads, worked long hours, and coordinated across borders to track and arrest the Lone Ranger deserve our deepest gratitude.

Furthermore, the leadership shown by IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno must be celebrated. His results-oriented approach, commitment to collaboration, and insistence on accountability have set a new standard for policing in Ghana. He has not only proven that Ghana can match the sophistication of today’s criminals but also that we can set an example for other nations to follow.

The Ghana Police Service has turned a new page—one marked by strategic leadership, interagency cooperation, and a results-driven culture. The arrest of the Lone Ranger is not just about the capture of a criminal; it is a symbol of what is possible when leadership, dedication, and unity come together in service of the public good.

Let us, therefore, stand behind our police service. Let us provide them with the support they need—through information, respect, and constructive engagement—so that together, we can build a society where safety is not a privilege for the few but a right for all. Ghana is on the right path, and with leaders like IGP Yohuno COP Atianak and DCOP Donkoh, the future of security in this country is bright.

Neenyi Essiful
Accra
neenyiessiful8@gmail.com

 

Kidnapped victims in viral videos rescued in Nigeria

All individuals who were kidnapped and appeared in a widely circulated video pleading for help have been safely rescued in Nigeria, according to police sources familiar with the matter.

The rescue was the result of a coordinated security operation led by the Inspectors-General of Police in Ghana and Nigeria, with support from various state security agencies.

The cross-border collaboration has so far led to the arrest of multiple suspects in both countries, all believed to be connected to a transnational kidnapping ring.

The disturbing footage, which sparked widespread public concern and international condemnation, showed the victims in distress while in captivity.

Authorities have confirmed that the individuals are now safe and are undergoing medical evaluation and trauma support.

Investigations are ongoing, and more arrests are expected in the coming days as security agencies continue to dismantle the network behind the abductions.

More to follow…

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

National Elections Security Taskforce ready – IGP

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare says the National Elections Security Task Force is firming up security arrangements for the upcoming District and National Elections.

The 2023 District Level Elections (DLE), barring any last-minute hitches, will be held on December 19, 2023, allowing eligible voters to elect Assembly Members to represent their respective electoral areas in the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), as well as five Unit Committee Members for each electoral area.

The IGP said the upcoming district-level elections was crucial, such that there was the need to consult the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Prisons, Ghana Fire Service, and other relevant security agencies to ensure security at all levels.

Dr Dampare said this during a National Elections Security Task Force meeting held in Accra on Tuesday.

The meeting saw various security agencies represented, where they all expressed readiness for the DLE, which would also serve as a “dress rehearsal” for the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

The IGP said the task force had become an integral part of the election processes and democratic practices.

He said the Police Service with all the relevant security agencies had decided not to take anything for granted, assuring Ghanaians of peaceful elections at both the District and National levels.
“We have only one Ghana, and we will sit collectively as professionals and as patriotic citizens to do whatever it takes to continue to let peace reign, and we will not compromise on this,” the IGP added.

In her address, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensah, noted with concern what she described as a predetermined agenda to foment trouble during the next general elections.
“The quest for power in current times had become fierce, adding that nobody or nothing would be spared in the quest to attain that power.” .. “Indeed, in a bid to capture power, our politicians and their supporters use all manner of methods to achieve their goals, in the wake of this, our security and safety are not spared, hence the need for security,” she stated.

She said one major challenge faced during elections was the abuse of social media to disseminate fake news around elections by “faceless individuals” for the sole purpose of causing disaffection for institutions such as the Commission in promoting unrest.

The Chairperson however reiterated the Commission’s confidence that the Cyber Security wing of the Police would be up to task and would deal with those situations timely.

Mrs Mensah said the Commission looked forward to working closely with the Task Force and key stakeholders to ensure that elections in Ghana, particularly the upcoming district assembly election and the national elections were credible, transparent, and peaceful.

Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, Chief of Defence Staff, said from all indications, next year’s national elections would be a crucial one, and that as custodians of national security, the Armed Forces was ready to ensure peaceful elections as always done.

Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, Chief of Defence Staff, said from all indications, next year’s national elections would be a crucial one, and that as custodians of national security, the Armed Forces was ready to ensure peaceful elections as always done.

The Chief of Defence Staff said the Armed Forces was committed to their Constitutional mandate and duty to protect the country and prevent any aggression both internally and externally.

“For the elections, we may not be in the upfront of the election duties, but we will be strongly in the background, ever ready and ever prepared to support the Police Service and other Security Services…,” he added.

 

 

Source: GNA