In a significant move towards promoting transparency and accountability, Ghana’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno has announced plans to lift the ban on police personnel engaging with the media. This ban was previously imposed by former IGP George Akuffo Dampare.
According to IGP Yohuno, who made the announcement at a workshop for Public Relations Officers (PROs) on Thursday, March 20, “No society can effectively combat crime without the support and collaboration of its people. This is why effective policing is a partnership that requires officers to work closely with the communities they serve to foster a safer and crime-free environment.”
He emphasized that combating rising crime requires public cooperation and effective policing hinges on strong engagement between law enforcement and the community.
IGP Yohuno further stated, “At a time when the public demands greater accountability in our service delivery, a well-tested approach ensures police legitimacy and builds public confidence.”
He also highlighted the importance of transparency, saying, “This is where your significant role as Public Affairs Officers, enforcing positive interaction with the public, becomes essential and directly impacts police effectiveness.”
Additionally, IGP Yohuno assured that, “It is on this premise that the current police administration under my leadership will reactivate and revert all regional police affairs offices to interact and meet the evolving demands of our society and media partners.”
This development comes on the heels of a separate agreement among stakeholders in Ghana’s broadcasting industry to regulate unethical media content and excesses. The move aims to promote responsible broadcasting and maintain public trust in the media.
In a related development, it’s worth noting that Ghana’s police service had previously considered banning social media during elections to prevent misinformation. However, this proposal was met with widespread criticism from journalists, academics, and press freedom groups.