Ghana Police Need Better Equipment and Investigators – Jaman South MP to Police Council

Jaman South MP Urges Police Council to Prioritize Investment in Crime-Fighting Tools and Training

The Member of Parliament for Jaman South, Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd), has called on the newly reconstituted Ghana Police Council to make crime prevention and investigation a national priority by investing in modern tools, training, and community-based policing strategies.

Speaking in an interview with the media, Col. Damoah emphasized the urgent need for the Ghana Police Service to be adequately resourced if the country is to effectively combat rising crime, particularly violent offences such as murder. According to him, law enforcement cannot rely solely on presence and patrols, but must shift toward proactive and evidence-driven investigations.

“We cannot solve crimes—especially murders—without trained investigators and modern tools, even if the police are not present when the crime occurs,” Col. Damoah said.

The retired senior military officer and seasoned public servant pointed to the worrying trend of unresolved murder cases in Ghana, which he believes reflects serious gaps in investigative capacity. He urged the government to prioritize investment in forensic tools, digital surveillance, and comprehensive training for officers in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

One of his key recommendations is the deployment of CID officers into communities on a more permanent or rotational basis to strengthen local intelligence gathering and build trust between the police and civilians. He believes this would allow officers to gain a deeper understanding of local dynamics, help prevent crimes before they happen, and improve the rate of solving existing cases.

“CID officers should live within the communities they serve. That way, they can build relationships, gather better intelligence, and respond faster when crimes occur,” he advised.

Col. Damoah also addressed the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohunu, urging him to reassess and upgrade Ghana’s current crime-fighting strategy. He called for a multi-layered approach that includes community engagement, digital crime tracking, and more specialized investigative units.

“The IGP must work with the Police Council to review existing strategies and put in place smarter, more responsive crime-fighting methods that reflect the modern challenges we face,” he stated.

The MP’s comments come on the heels of the swearing-in of 11 new members to the Police Council, which is responsible for the overall administration and policy direction of the Police Service, including promotions above the rank of Chief Inspector.

The Jaman South legislator believes this renewed leadership structure presents a critical opportunity to reform policing in Ghana, especially in light of recent high-profile cases that remain unresolved. He warned that without targeted reforms, public confidence in the police will continue to decline.

“We must invest in our Police Service—not just with words, but with the tools, training, and trust they need to perform,” Col. Damoah concluded.

As crime patterns in Ghana evolve with technological advancement and urban expansion, stakeholders across government and civil society are increasingly calling for a more sophisticated and community-driven police force. Col. Damoah’s call to action aligns with these growing concerns, highlighting the need for strategic investment to safeguard public safety and deliver justice.