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The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has increased the intake for Cadet Officer Course 54 at the Police Academy to a record 700 officers, the highest number ever admitted in the institution’s history.
Traditionally, the Police Academy admits between 300 and 400 cadets per course. Previous intakes saw Course 51 admit 308 officers, Course 52 admit 344, and Course 53 admit 432. The latest expansion under Course 54 therefore represents a significant increase in recruitment and training capacity within the Ghana Police Service.
To manage the larger intake, the Police Administration will implement both residential and non-residential training arrangements. The move is expected to provide more opportunities for qualified officers, especially Chief Inspectors who have remained at the same rank for several years, to advance in their careers. Police sources say similar arrangements have been adopted in the past whenever accommodation constraints emerged.
Reports indicate that approximately 7,500 Chief Inspectors sat for the Police Academy entrance examination, with 1,063 officers successfully meeting the required marks and selection criteria. In addition, officers earmarked for promotion and those recognised for exceptional operational performance are also being considered under Courses 54, 55 and 56.
To support the expanded programme, the Police Administration has secured extra accommodation facilities in Accra and permitted some officers living within designated police enclaves to participate as non-residential cadets while fully taking part in training activities. Transportation and other logistical measures have also been introduced to facilitate smooth participation throughout the programme.
The administration has equally increased support staff at the academy, including personnel in welfare and catering services, to cater for the larger number of cadets. Fully equipped lecture halls and training facilities have also been prepared to ensure effective teaching, discipline and the maintenance of high professional standards during the six-to-nine-month training period.
Police leadership has assured the public that despite the unprecedented increase in numbers, training quality and standards will be maintained, adding that the reforms are intended to improve operational efficiency and enhance career progression opportunities within the service.
Source: Omanghana.com
