Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno has authorised the promotion of 12,802 police officers within a six-week period, effectively wiping out a decade-long backlog in the Ghana Police Service.
The mass elevation, which took place between January and the first week of February 2026, affects personnel from the rank of Lance Corporal to Chief Inspector.
Confirmation of the development was issued by the IGP’s Secretariat, which explained that the promotions were executed largely through administrative processes and special recommendations in accordance with the Police Service Regulations, 2012 (C.I 76).
The exercise comes in the wake of allegations of nepotism surrounding the recent promotions. However, the Secretariat dismissed the claims, maintaining that due process was strictly observed.
“All unit, district, divisional, and regional commanders across the country’s 25 police regions were directed to submit the names of officers due for promotion,” the Secretariat explained.
Breakdown of the figures shows that about 11,900 junior-ranked officers were elevated by one rank after serving beyond the mandatory four-year requirement. In addition, roughly 600 officers were promoted on the basis of special recommendations.
The Secretariat further disclosed that the Service had received numerous petitions from officers who complained of stalled or delayed promotions. Some of the cases involved personnel who had been on interdiction for more than five years but were subsequently acquitted and discharged.
Following internal reviews, the affected officers were granted their promotions.
The Service also considered petitions from families of officers who died in the line of duty, resulting in posthumous promotions for the deceased personnel.
