The Ghana Police Service is undergoing a seismic shift in communication strategy as Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno moves to restore the voice of Regional Public Affairs offices after years of centralized control under former IGP George Akuffo-Dampare.
For years, regional police spokespersons were muzzled, with all media engagements controlled from Accra, cutting off the Service from direct engagement with the public. This top-down approach fueled speculation, mistrust, and public frustration. But now, Yohuno is tearing up the rulebook, reactivating Public Affairs offices across all 25 police administrative regions and units to restore transparency and accountability.
Addressing Public Affairs Officers at a three-day workshop at the Detective Training School (DTI), Yohuno delivered a clear mandate:
“The current Police Administration, under my leadership, will reactivate and revive all Regional Police Public Affairs offices to interact and meet the ever-evolving demands of our society and media partners,” he declared.
This bold declaration marks a stark departure from Dampare’s centralized approach, which restricted communication to a select few in Accra, leaving regional officers powerless to engage with the public during crises.
By restoring direct media engagement, regional Public Affairs officers will now be empowered to clarify police operations, counter misinformation, and provide real-time updates on crime and security issues in their jurisdictions.
Under Dampare, the Police Service’s public trust plummeted, as its failure to communicate effectively at the local level created an information vacuum, allowing rumours and misinformation to thrive.
The one-size-fits-all messaging from Accra was slow, vague, and detached from regional realities. Officers on the ground were unable to reassure communities, leading to public outrage and suspicions of secrecy and cover-ups.
Yohuno has acknowledged the damage caused by this approach, stressing that modern policing must prioritize openness, accountability, and direct public engagement.
“Policing is not merely a profession but a significant responsibility that demands accountability to the public,” he emphasised. “No society can effectively combat crime without the trust and collaboration of its people.”
Breaking the Chains: Restoring Regional Authority
To fix past missteps, Yohuno is fully restoring the autonomy of regional Public Affairs officers, ensuring they can now engage with the media, address public concerns, and provide timely updates without waiting for Accra’s approval.
His new strategy is built on three key pillars:
1. Transparency with Confidentiality – Officers must provide accurate, real-time information while safeguarding sensitive details.
2. Credibility and Integrity – Media engagements must be fact-based, professional, and free from political influence.
3. Consistency in Communication – A coordinated but decentralised approach will ensure uniform messaging nationwide.
Yohuno’s decision to reactivate police communication at the regional level is being widely praised as a game-changer. Analysts believe this bold move could reverse years of damage, restoring trust and strengthening public confidence in the Service.
A senior police officer, speaking anonymously, admitted that regional officers had been left voiceless under Dampare’s leadership.
“For years, we were effectively gagged. Everything had to come from Accra, and by the time statements were issued, public sentiment had already turned against us. This new direction will allow us to better serve our communities and rebuild confidence in the Police Service.”
With social media amplifying misinformation at an alarming rate, Yohuno stressed that the role of Public Affairs officers is now more critical than ever. Their ability to counter false narratives and provide real-time facts will shape how Ghanaians perceive law enforcement.
“In an era marked by widespread misinformation, particularly through digital and social media, we must remain vigilant in countering false narratives and ensuring accurate information reaches the public,” Yohuno warned.
By returning power to regional Public Affairs officers, Yohuno is not just reforming police communication—he is dismantling a legacy of restrictive policies that stifled transparency.
While Dampare’s leadership was seen as disciplined, his tight grip on police messaging proved to be a massive miscalculation, undermining community engagement, crisis response, and public trust.
Yohuno’s bold reforms signal a return to the founding principles of democratic policing—public accountability, open communication, and responsiveness to citizen concerns.
As the Ghana Police Service turns a new page, one message rings loud and clear:
Silence is no longer an option. The Police Service is reclaiming its voice—one region at a time.
By Charles McCarthy, Accra
