IGP clarifies comments on the recruitment of Bawku youth into the police service

Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has issued a call for the country’s youth, particularly those in conflict-prone areas, to lay down their arms and take part in the recruitment process for the police force.

Mr Yohuno reassured young people in Bawku that they would have a chance to join the service, provided they meet the requirements, after putting aside their weapons and embracing peace.

Addressing the press, Mr. Yohuno noted the difficulties of achieving regional balance in the recruitment process, which has often been centralized at the national headquarters in Accra.

He expressed a desire to ensure that people from all parts of the country, including remote regions, are given the opportunity to apply for police service roles.

“I want to give the people the assurance that they can be recruited into the police service,” Mr Yohuno said.

“They should lay down their weapons, and once they do, they will have the opportunity to go through the normal recruitment process, just like anyone else.”

He acknowledged that many areas of the country, such as Bawku, had been historically underrepresented in the recruitment process, leaving the country’s security services with a skewed regional composition.

Mr Yohuno explained that efforts would now be made to take recruitment beyond the major cities of Accra and Kumasi, extending it to more remote areas, where qualified candidates can be found.

“Many times, recruitment has been centralized in Accra, and as a result, we have not been able to achieve the full benefit of regional balance,” he said. “We want to ensure that recruitment now takes place in the remotest areas of the country, so everyone who qualifies will have the opportunity to join the service, regardless of where they come from.”

Mr Yohuno shared the example of a policewoman from Bawku, who was selected for recruitment after demonstrating her abilities, including riding a motorbike.

He highlighted that the recruitment process focuses on merit and the ability to serve effectively, rather than on geographic location or past circumstances.

“There was no need to check whether she was capable of being recruited or not. She was chosen based on her abilities,” Yohuno remarked. “This is what we want for all youth in the country: an equal opportunity to serve, provided they meet the basic recruitment requirements.”