When a young Constable was informed by his commander that the Police Administration had approved his promotion through a special recommendation for helping to arrest key suspects in a major robbery case, he could hardly believe it.
He had always known that officers could be given special recommendation for going the extra mile to show courage and valour in the discharge of their duties. "But this hardly happens in the Police Service until the current Yohuno administration," he told the Daily Graphic after being promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
His story mirrors that of hundreds of officers across the country whose extraordinary commitment to duty has, for the first time in many years, received tangible recognition under a renewed special recommendation promotion policy being vigorously implemented by the Police Administration.
Although Regulation 37 of the Police Service Regulations, 2012 (C.I. 76) provides for promotions based on meritorious acts of bravery, valour, crime prevention and outstanding performance, many officers say the provision had not been effectively implemented over the years, leaving deserving personnel overlooked despite risking their lives in the line of duty. Determined to reverse that trend, the Police Administration, led by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, placed renewed emphasis on rewarding excellence while continuing regular administrative promotions.
Figures from the IGP's Secretariat show that 128 senior police officers received promotions through special recommendation, while 445 others earned administrative promotions, bringing the total number of promoted senior officers for the 2025/2026 promotion year to 573. For other ranks, 11,970 officers benefited from administrative promotions in 2025, with 104 promoted through special recommendation, while a further 1,615 officers earned promotions through special recommendation in 2026. The first half of the year alone also saw 482 Inspectors promoted to Chief Inspectors, 420 Sergeants elevated to Inspectors, 220 Corporals promoted to Sergeants, 234 Lance Corporals advanced to Corporals and 259 Constables promoted to Lance Corporals. In all, 13,689 officers, both senior officers and other ranks, have earned promotions since Yohuno assumed office a year ago.
Many of the officers recognised under the policy distinguished themselves during dangerous operations, including the arrest of suspects linked to the Adabraka gold robbery, the rescue of robbery victims and the arrest of seven robbery suspects during operations in the Greater Accra and Eastern regions, the arrest of suspects linked to the GB Oil Filling Station robbery and murder, and the arrest of suspects linked to the killing of the queen mother of Abamba near Atebubu in the Bono East Region. Others played leading roles in anti galamsey operations in the Ashanti and Bono regions, rescued kidnapped Ghanaians in Nigeria, helped apprehend suspects linked to the Goil Filling Station attack at Kwafokrom near Nsawam in the Eastern Region, and rejected bribes while arresting suspected narcotics traffickers.
For many beneficiaries, the promotions represent more than a new rank; they are proof that sacrifice and integrity matter. "I want to thank the IGP and the Police Management Board for this great recognition. This means my efforts are being noticed. It has also encouraged my colleagues who are now working hard, knowing that their hard work will receive recognition," a newly promoted Corporal said.
Another beneficiary, now a Chief Inspector, welcomed the initiative but urged fairness. "Special recommendation should be purely based on officers who have gone over and above their normal duties to do the extraordinary to make their communities and Ghana safe. There are many officers doing remarkable work and they all deserve recognition," he said. A senior officer recently promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Police, who asked not to be named, echoed the point: "I can tell you that if this policy is implemented well, devoid of favouritism, the Ghana Police Service will benefit a lot because the men and women will give off their very best."
An officer who served on the IGP's Special Operations Team and was promoted from Inspector to Chief Inspector said the recognition reflected months of difficult assignments. "We impounded hundreds of excavators during the fight against galamsey, restored peace in conflict areas and even participated in operations that rescued Ghanaians outside the country. These successes inspired us to keep serving. This recognition has strengthened our resolve to do even more for Ghana," he said. Another newly promoted officer appealed for greater protection of personnel involved in high risk operations, saying their identities should not always be exposed in the media, since protecting officers also protects future operations.
The Deputy Director of the Intelligence Unit at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, DSP Mohammed Abdul Hanan, who also benefited from the policy, said it was understandable for officers to be pleased with such recognition, and commended the administration for strengthening the special recommendation system. He called on the administration to fast track a review of the Police Service Regulations to also cover officers who have gained academic qualifications they are putting to use for the service.
Responding to the concerns raised, the Police Administration assured personnel that their welfare, safety and professional development remain central to its transformation agenda. It said all promotions are handled fairly by the Police Management Board, that additional protective equipment is being procured to improve operational safety, and that measures are being strengthened to safeguard officers on sensitive assignments. It gave the assurance that administrative promotions would continue to be processed promptly for eligible officers, while the special recommendation system would be expanded and applied fairly, and said it was confident that recognising excellence would deepen professionalism and encourage officers to pursue the highest standards of discipline and selfless service.
