Ibrahim Adjei, a former assistant secretary at the Office of the former President Nana Akufo-Addo, has strongly criticized the comments made by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, regarding police recruitment in the conflict-prone region of Bawku. Adjei has labelled the proposal as a dangerous move, arguing that it could inadvertently encourage violence among the youth.
The IGP's pledge, made during a visit to Bawku on April 11, 2025, promised to prioritize the recruitment of youth from the area for the police service, on the condition that they lay down their arms and embrace peace. This initiative was part of a broader strategy to restore stability to the volatile region. A special recruitment team was set to be stationed in Bawku to carry out this process.
However, Adjei expressed strong opposition to the IGP’s statement, warning that such a promise could undermine years of peace-building efforts in the area. According to Adjei, the proposal could send the wrong message to the youth, suggesting that violence is a path to opportunity, which could reverse the progress made in creating peace and security in the region.
Adjei also criticized the IGP’s subsequent clarification, in which he framed the recruitment initiative as part of a decentralization strategy to achieve regional balance. Adjei dismissed this clarification, asserting that the recruitment process was already decentralized and that the IGP's remarks only compounded the situation.
He further pointed out that such statements could potentially damage the credibility of the Ghana Police Service’s recruitment process and erode public trust in its fairness and neutrality. Adjei emphasized that in a fragile security environment, it is crucial to align incentives with lawful behaviour rather than reward violence.
Despite these objections, Ade Coker, the former Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has endorsed the IGP’s proposal, calling it a positive step toward unity and lasting peace in Bawku. Coker believes that the initiative could bring together opposing groups in the region and contribute to greater social cohesion.
The disagreement over the IGP's recruitment proposal highlights the complexity of managing security in Bawku and the broader implications of such initiatives on peace-building in the area.
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