When Ghana’s Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, responded to a question in Bawku with a pledge to prioritise qualified local youth for recruitment into the Police Service, the backlash was swift. Critics labelled it a bribe, a political distraction, or a dangerous precedent. But such reactions reveal a lack of understanding—not just of the IGP’s intentions, but of the global precedent for using security-sector recruitment as a bridge toward peace.
Security as a Social Contract
What Yohuno offered was not a concession to lawlessness. It was a reaffirmation of a deeper state promise—that marginalised citizens are not just policed, but included. In conflict-sensitive areas, inclusion isn’t a luxury. It is a lifeline.
Conflict experts have long noted that peace is not secured solely through armed presence but through policies that reframe the relationship between youth and the state. Recruitment, when done right, becomes more than job creation—it becomes a civic handshake.
Lessons from Around the World
Yohuno’s strategy is not without precedent. Around the world, national security institutions have been used as tools for peacebuilding in communities strained by conflict.
- Nigeria: The 2009 Niger Delta amnesty programme enrolled thousands of former militants into vocational training and maritime security roles. It significantly reduced violence and restored a degree of calm to the region.
- Colombia: After the 2016 peace accord, former FARC rebels were given pathways into public service roles, including civil policing. Though controversial, the initiative was vital in lowering re-mobilisation rates.
- Somalia: With support from international partners, Somalia’s government has integrated disengaged Al-Shabaab militants into the national army under strict conditions—building trust in state capacity and reducing insurgent numbers over time.
These examples affirm a global truth: where the state extends dignity and a stake in national order, the grip of militancy loosens.
The Power of Inclusion
Yohuno’s remarks acknowledged what many in Bawku already know: exclusion breeds violence. By offering a pathway into the Ghana Police Service, he isn’t rewarding lawlessness—he’s reimagining law enforcement as a partnership.
Recruitment pledges work because they address:
- Unemployment: a root driver of radicalisation.
- Alienation: giving citizens a reason to trust and engage with the state.
- Social mobility: offering pride, income, and a future.
In Bawku, where identity and suspicion run deep, integrating local youth into national structures sends a powerful message: “You belong.”
Not Without Conditions
Naturally, such programmes must be executed transparently. Yohuno’s pledge must be guided by merit, equity, and fairness. No one group should be favoured, and all recruits must reflect the community’s diversity.
Moreover, these officers must return to serve their own communities—not be transferred elsewhere. This is not about numbers on a payroll—it’s about visibility, trust, and shared responsibility for peace.
A Scalable Model?
Ghana would do well to treat Bawku as a pilot. If Yohuno’s approach yields results, it could be adapted for other volatile areas such as Wa, Chereponi, or parts of Oti. This is not about militarisation—it’s about humanisation.
Instead of more patrols, more uniforms. Instead of more bullets, more hope.
Conclusion: Reframing the Debate
Those criticising Yohuno’s remarks must ask themselves: what, truly, is the alternative? Do we believe more armoured vehicles and checkpoints will heal decades of mistrust? Or can the state dare to extend opportunities where it has previously sent only orders?
Christian Tetteh Yohuno’s pledge is not just a promise—it is a philosophy. One that views the youth not as a threat to be subdued, but as potential partners in the national project. And in times like these, such vision deserves not ridicule—but our collective attention.
By Charles McCarthy@mccarthy4uall@gmail.com
