A total of 12,802 police officers has been promoted between January and the first week of February 2026.
The promotions, which ranged from Lance Corporals to Chief Inspectors, were part of a backlog exercise, with some cases dating back five to ten years.
This was disclosed to the media following several requests to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Secretariat.
According to the Secretariat, the promotions were mainly administrative and based on special recommendations, in line with the Police Service Regulations, 2012 (Constitutional Instrument 76).
Regulation 37 of CI 76 states that promotion in the Ghana Police Service shall be based on promotion examinations, seniority and years of service, subject to satisfactory performance assessment and good conduct.
It may also be granted through special recommendation for meritorious acts of bravery or valour in crime prevention, or for outstanding performance of duty.
Earlier in the week, sections of the media alleged that promotions within the Service had been fraught with nepotism.
However, the IGP’s Secretariat dismissed the claims, insisting that all promotions were supervised by unit, district, divisional and regional commanders across the country’s 25 police regions.
“Information was sent to all unit, district, divisional and regional commanders across the 25 police regions to submit the names of officers due for promotion, and that was how the administration arrived at the final list.
“Moreover, promotions in the Police Service cannot be carried out solely by the IGP, as CI 76 makes that clear,” the Secretariat stated in a press statement.
The Secretariat explained that about 11,900 officers within the lower ranks were elevated by one step in their respective ranks, while approximately 600 promotions were granted based on special recommendations.
“For instance, some personnel who had remained in their ranks for more than the stipulated period of four years were promoted to the next rank. These steps were taken to encourage officers to work hard and gain due recognition.
“Our men are sacrificing a lot for this country. They deserve to be treated fairly, and that is what we are doing for everyone, regardless of background,” it added.
The Secretariat disclosed that it had received numerous petitions concerning alleged unfair treatment meted out to some officers.
After reviewing the cases, including those of officers who had been on interdiction for more than five years, some were acquitted and discharged and subsequently granted the promotions due them.
Others petitioned the Secretariat to correct errors in their promotion dates, which had delayed their advancement.
The administration reviewed those cases and rectified the anomalies.
Additionally, families of officers who died in the line of duty petitioned the administration.
After reviewing their cases, the Service promoted them posthumously.
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