Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno has approved the promotion of 12,802 police officers between January and the first week of February 2026, effectively clearing a backlog of stalled promotions dating back 10 years.
The large-scale promotion exercise is one of the most significant personnel decisions in recent years within the Ghana Police Service. It is expected to boost morale across the ranks and address longstanding concerns over delayed career progression.
According to police sources, the backlog had affected officers across multiple ranks, with many personnel reportedly stagnating for years despite meeting the required criteria for advancement. The new approvals are aimed at restoring fairness, strengthening discipline and enhancing operational efficiency within the Service.
Security analysts say timely promotions are critical to maintaining motivation, professionalism and accountability within law enforcement institutions. Delays in career progression, they note, often affect productivity and overall institutional morale.
The move comes as the Police Service continues broader internal reforms focused on modernisation, welfare improvements and operational restructuring. Clearing the promotion backlog is widely seen as part of efforts to rebuild trust within the Service and improve performance nationwide.
Officers who have benefited from the exercise are expected to assume their new ranks with immediate effect, subject to the necessary administrative processes.
IGP promotes 17 police officers for exceptional operational performance