President John Dramani Mahama has lauded the Inspector-General of Police, COP Christian Yohonu, and the entire Ghana Police Service for what he described as an impressive and sustained crackdown on violent crime across the country.
Speaking during the commissioning of a new fleet of 40 armoured and operational vehicles for the Service, the President said the achievements recorded in recent months reflect growing professionalism within the security agency and the renewed commitment of the government to equip officers adequately.
“Let me begin by commending the IGP, the Police Management Board, and all the officers and rank-and-file of the Ghana Police Service. You are doing a good job. Our highways are getting safer because you’ve taken on the highway robbers and you have dealt with them”.
President John Dramani Mahama
He highlighted the Police Service’s recent breakthroughs in apprehending bank robbers and suspected criminals behind attacks on private homes, describing the successes as the product of effective intelligence gathering and timely operational action.
President Mahama also praised the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for resolving cases that previously went cold. “In the past, there were many unsolved murders. I’m happy to note that recently, many of the murders that occurred, with good police intelligence, you’ve been able to bring the suspects to book,” he remarked.
The President stressed that such progress could only be sustained if officers were equipped with the modern tools required to confront criminals who are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
According to him, the newly handed-over 40 vehicles mark only the beginning of a broader retooling effort that will significantly strengthen the operational readiness of the Police Service.
“These 40 vehicles are just the first batch of what you are receiving. By the end of this month, you will receive two tow trucks. You will also get 10 corvettes—operational vehicles that I have been cautioned not to talk about. It is only you who will know you have them.”
President John Dramani Mahama
Decentralization of Police Logistics
President Mahama further disclosed plans to decentralise police logistics by providing every police district with a standard patrol pickup to ensure visible policing and faster response times.
Beyond land mobility, he revealed that officers would soon be trained in the deployment of drones for urban surveillance, monitoring, intelligence gathering, and heightened situational awareness on complex operational fronts. He explained that these investments are intentional, aimed at aligning policing methods with 21st-century security challenges.
President Mahama expressed concern about recurring incidents where officers lost their lives in the line of duty due to inadequate equipment. He insisted that such vulnerabilities were unacceptable and would no longer be tolerated under his administration.
“Many men have died in the line of duty just because they were not properly equipped for the assignments that we asked them to do. And so the government will ensure that that becomes a thing of the past”.
President John Dramani Mahama
The President underscored the centrality of the Ghana Police Service in maintaining public order, preventing crime, and enforcing the rule of law. He reiterated his government’s commitment to giving the institution the tools needed to match and counter emerging threats, especially as criminal networks evolve and become more daring.
President Mahama’s remarks come at a time when public concerns over crime—particularly violent assaults, robberies, and targeted killings—have heightened calls for stronger policing. His administration has positioned security sector reform and logistical modernisation as indispensable to safeguarding economic development, investor confidence, and social cohesion.
For the President, empowering the Police Service goes beyond simply purchasing vehicles. It is about guaranteeing officer safety, protecting families of law enforcement personnel, and strengthening public trust in the Service’s capacity to maintain law and order. With the new vehicles and upcoming additions, he believes the security landscape will continue to shift in favour of law-abiding citizens.
The commissioning ceremony, part of a larger government security enhancement agenda, symbolises a key component of President Mahama’s pledge to modernise Ghana’s security infrastructure.
As the new vehicles are deployed across the country, expectations remain high that police operations will continue to yield results, leading to safer highways, quicker emergency responses, and improved community policing outcomes.
The President ended his message with renewed gratitude to officers for their sacrifices and with a firm assurance that his government will not relent in its support. “We will give you the right instruments so that as you do your duty, you also are safe and able to come back to your families,” he said.
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