Ghana Police

 The Ghana Police are the law enforcement arm of the Republic Of Ghana.

With origins that started in the 1890s, the organization that became the Ghana Police was officially inaugurated in 1921, during the years of British colonial rule in the pre-indepence period, when Ghana was known as The Gold Coast.

A group of Ghana Police officers in Accra, perfectly illustrating the variation in uniforms worn in the service

(March 2008)

 The modern Ghana Police are arguably the most well manned & equipped law enforcement agency in West Africa. The personnel of the Ghana Police are adequately supplied with modern vehicles, are strongly armed, and use modern communications in their domestic duties.

Two female officers in the Central Region capital, Cape Coast.

(January 2007)

The uniforms of the Ghana Police traditionally have been navy blue paramilitary fatigues, however, a more recent acquisition has been a new camouflage uniform, consisting of three colour tones (slate grey, dark grey, & light black), and royal blue & white reflective panels on the legs & body. Curiously, which uniform is worn is generally up to the officer's preference. Matching kepi-style caps are also worn (in either blue or three-tone camouflage), and berets are also worn.

Commonly, personnel on duty carry the AK-47 assault rifle, typically the variety with the metal folding stock. It is less common for Ghana Police to carry a side arm, however, in some cases, particularly at crowd events, they carry a truncheon.

The headquarters of the Ghana Police are located on Ring Road in the Cantonments district of Accra. The complex also houses the motor pool & armoury.

Former Inspector-General Of Police, Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, at a press conference regarding the 2008 Ghana Presidential Elections.

(December 2008)

The most senior position in the Ghana Police is the Inspector General Of Police (IGP). The current IGP is Paul Tawiah Quaye, who assumed the position in February 2009, after it was vacated by the former IGP, Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, who left the post a few weeks after the results of the Presidential elections were settled in early January 2009.

Official website: www.ghanapolice.info