Fresh allegations of nepotism and abuse of discretionary powers have emerged within the Ghana Police Service, with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, accused of using special promotion powers to advance the careers of close family members.
The claims, contained in a strongly worded statement circulating among senior officers, warn that the development has triggered growing internal discontent, eroding morale and undermining confidence in the leadership of the Service barely ten months into the IGP’s tenure.
According to the statement, the IGP personally signed at least four Police Wireless Messages between January 20 and January 30, 2026, granting special promotions to several officers said to be his relatives under the justification of “exceptional commitment and dedication to duty.”
One of the promotions reportedly elevated his niece, No. 6331 PW/Sgt. Esther Dede Yohuno, from Sergeant to Inspector with two incremental credits, effective January 1.
The document claims that several other family members received similar promotions within the same narrow timeframe.
On January 30, 2026 alone, three additional signals were allegedly issued promoting six more officers, including G/Sgt.
Godwin Teye Yohuno, PW/Sgt. Joyce Maku Yohuno, and four junior ranks, all under special recommendation.
“The key question is whether all these officers independently performed meritorious acts of bravery, prevented major crimes, or delivered outstanding operational outcomes within the same period to justify simultaneous special promotions,” the statement queried.
The development, critics argue, appears to conflict with Regulation 37(2)(c) of the Ghana Police Service Regulations, 2012 (C.I. 76), which restricts special promotions to officers who demonstrate acts of bravery, valour in crime prevention, or exceptional operational performance.
“Leadership in uniform requires not only fairness but visible impartiality,” the statement said, warning that when relatives benefit from discretionary promotions controlled by the same office holder, “public trust erodes and institutional credibility collapses.”
The statement further warned of worsening morale across police formations, citing resentment, operational demotivation, breakdown of discipline, and loss of command legitimacy.
It has therefore called on the Police Council, the Ministry of the Interior, Parliament’s Select Committee on Defence and Interior, and CHRAJ to conduct an independent audit of all special promotions, investigate potential conflicts of interest, and restore transparent, merit-based promotion systems.
“The Ghana Police Service does not belong to any family or personal circle. It belongs to the Republic,” the statement stressed.