The Executive Director of Peace Watch Ghana, Madam Nyonkopa Daniels, has strongly advocated for the appointment of the current Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, as the next Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Madam Daniels argued that the female senior officer has distinguished herself and proven, beyond doubt, that she is an efficient, competent, dedicated, and professional officer.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Madam Daniels explicitly stated that if President John Dramani Mahama intends to appoint a new IGP after the official retirement of the current one, Christian Tetteh Yohonu, without a contract extension, the most qualified personality should be COP Lydia Yaako Donkor.
She initially appealed to the President to grant a one-year contract extension to the incumbent IGP.
She acknowledged the recent notice from the presidency, signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, which indicated that there would be no contract extension for any appointee.
Madam Daniels highly commended COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, indicating that she has distinguished herself as the CID boss with remarkable achievements. Under her leadership and with support from the IGP, she cited successes such as the arrest of several criminals, including those convicted of intentional crimes, and the safe retrieval of kidnapped persons.
The Executive Director also expressed concern over the recent ‘IGP Must Go’ agenda being pushed by some individuals, stating clearly that the President reserves the sole mandate in deciding on the IGP’s tenure.
“There are situations where those who had their contracts extended after they officially retired. We have seen some in the past. This current IGP is solid and good. He achieved positive results when he worked as a regional commander in Accra and in other departments he was assigned until he assumed the role as IGP. But when your time is up, the President will decide who will take over. I will, however, appeal that he should be given a year extension. If the President has stated that he will not extend contracts, I cannot force him, but it is only an appeal.”
She reiterated her conviction, stating: “After he runs his full term, I will recommend COP Lydia Yaako Donkor as the IGP. I will vouch for her. I will lead Ghanaian women to advocate for her appointment. President Mahama has already demonstrated that he believes in women, which is evident in his appointment of Ghana’s first female Vice Presidential candidate, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
We have female heads for the Fire and Prison Services. It is about time we get a female IGP appointed, and the only person qualified and competent to take over from Christian Tetteh Yohonu is COP Lydia Yaako Donkor.”
She concluded by telling host Kwabena Agyapong that in the past, a female IGP appointment was nearly achieved but was “swerved,” and she stressed that this time, such an occurrence should not be entertained.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
