JICA Launches Community Policing Capacity-Building Program for Ghana Police in Tamale

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with support from the Center for Social and Development Reform, has launched an in-country training program on community policing capacity building for the Ghana Police Service in Tamale.

The program brought together police personnel from the Northern Region, including 30 selected officers. Additionally, nine officers have previously travelled to Japan under JICA’s knowledge co-creation program to receive specialized training in community policing.

Strengthening Community Collaboration
In his welcome address, the Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Mr. Wisdom Lavoe, described the training as a significant step toward strengthening policing through collaboration, trust-building, and proactive community engagement.

He emphasized that effective policing requires partnership, empathy, and the ability to work closely with citizens to prevent crime and promote peace.

According to him, the training comes at a crucial time as the Service continues to enhance operational effectiveness across the five northern regions.

Addressing the selected officers, he said:
“You have been chosen not only because of your competence but also because of the trust reposed in you to become ambassadors of community-oriented policing. I encourage you to actively participate, share your experiences, and embrace innovative approaches that will strengthen relationships between the police and the public. The knowledge you acquire here must translate into practical impact within your respective commands.”
He further urged the officers to be guided by their core values of professionalism, discipline, integrity, and respect for human rights.

JICA’s Continued Support
The Chief Representative of JICA, Ms. Momoko Suzuki, noted that Ghana has long been recognized for its stability and democratic values.

However, she pointed out that evolving security challenges in the Northern Region and the broader Sahel sub-region require innovative and community-centered approaches to policing.

She acknowledged the commitment of the Ghana Police Service to community policing through the establishment of a dedicated Community Policing Unit.

Ms. Suzuki revealed that since 2017, JICA has dispatched nine Ghanaian police officers to Japan for training in community policing under its knowledge co-creation program. She added that the selected officers would be equipped with skills in effective community engagement, conflict prevention, participatory safety planning, and the promotion of human rights, gender equality, and ethical policing.

She explained that the initiative reflects Japan’s longstanding cooperation in police capacity development in partnership with Japan’s National Police Agency.

Building a Multiplier Effect
The Director-General of the National Patrol Department of the Ghana Police Service and representative of the Inspector-General of Police, COP Alhaji Mohammed Fuseini, described JICA as a longstanding and reliable partner of the Service, particularly the Community Policing Unit.

He stated that the partnership has gone beyond routine cooperation. Through exchange programs, six officers from the Community Policing Unit have travelled to Japan to study innovative policing models and share experiences on strengthening police-community relations. In return, two Japanese police officers have visited the Northern Region to observe firsthand the implementation of community policing in Ghana.

He highlighted the importance of the “training of trainers” component, explaining that equipping 30 selected senior and junior officers with advanced knowledge and practical skills would create a multiplier effect. The knowledge acquired, he said, would be systematically cascaded across regions and districts to ensure that modern community policing becomes embedded within the institutional culture of the Police Service rather than confined to a few individuals.

Objective of the Training
The Director of the Community Policing Unit of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Mrs. Gifty Tehoda, stated that the objective of the training is to create a capable team of trainers who will promote:
Effective police-community collaboration
Early detection and prevention of crime
Conflict resolution and mediation
Trust-building and accountability
Inclusive community participation in policing

The training marks another milestone in Ghana–Japan cooperation and is expected to significantly enhance community-oriented policing efforts across the country.

Source:Fiilafmonline/Walkiyatu Issahaku