The Ghana Police Service has promoted a total of 12,802 police officers between January 2026 and the first week of February this year.
The promotions, which ranged from Lance Corporal to Chief Inspector, cleared a backlog dating back five to 10 years.
This was made known to the media following several requests to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Secretariat regarding promotions in the Service.
According to the Secretariat, the promotions were mainly administrative and based on special recommendations, in line with the Police Service Regulations, 2012 (Constitutional Instrument 76).
Regulation 37 of CI 76 states that promotion in the Ghana Police Service shall be by promotion examination, seniority and length of service, subject to satisfactory performance assessment and good conduct.
It could also be by special recommendation based on meritorious acts of bravery or valour in crime prevention, or outstanding performance of duty.
Some media reports earlier in the week claimed that promotions in the Service had been fraught with nepotism.
However, the IGP’s Secretariat dismissed the assertions, insisting that all promotions were supervised by unit, district, divisional and regional commanders across the 25 police regions in the country.
“Information was sent to all units, districts, divisional and regional commanders across the 25 police regions to submit names of officers who were due for promotion. That was how the administration arrived at the list,” the Secretariat said.
It further noted that promotions in the Police Service could not be carried out solely by the IGP, as clearly stipulated under CI 76.
Giving a breakdown, the Secretariat said about 11,900 officers within the lower ranks were elevated by one step, while 600 others were promoted based on special recommendations.
“For instance, personnel who had remained in their ranks for more than the stipulated four-year period were all promoted to the next rank.
“These promotions were done to encourage everyone to work hard and receive due recognition. Our men and women are sacrificing a lot for this country. They deserve to be treated fairly, and that is what we are doing for everyone, regardless of background,” it said.
On petitions, the Secretariat said it had received numerous complaints concerning alleged unfair treatment of some officers.
After reviewing the cases, including those of officers who had been on interdiction for more than five years, some were acquitted and discharged and subsequently granted their due promotions.
Others petitioned the Secretariat to correct discrepancies in their promotion dates, which had delayed their progression. The Police Administration reviewed and rectified those anomalies.
The Secretariat also disclosed that families of personnel who died in the line of duty had petitioned the administration. After reviewing those cases, the officers were promoted posthumously.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
12 Feb. 2026
