NPP GERMANY
PRESS RELEASE
11—12—2025
Extension of IGP Yohuno’s Term Of Office A Wrong Presidential Reward—NPP GERMANY Fumes
To NPP GERMANY branch, the decision by President John Dramani Mahama to extend the tenure of Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, raises more questions than answers. At a time when Ghana’s policing architecture is in desperate need of credibility, transparency, and new leadership energy, this extension feels less like a strategic reform move and more like a political convenience.
No democracy strengthens its institutions by bending retirement rules to satisfy the comfort of political actors, yet that appears to be exactly what has happened.
The justification offered—“to continue ongoing reforms and enhance operational effectiveness”—is disturbingly hollow. What reforms? What measurable achievements? What transformation has Yohuno spearheaded in his short stay that warrants a two-year extension beyond the mandatory retirement age?
Ghana is drowning in insecurity, corruption, and illegal mining, but the Presidency claims the IGP deserves more time. On what basis? Ghana’s Police Service has long been accused of institutional fatigue, politicisation, and selective enforcement of the law. The appointment of Yohuno was initially marketed as a “new era,” a “new transformation agenda,” and a “fresh reform mission.”
Yet, after months at the top, the country has seen none of the sweeping changes that were promised. If anything, the Police Service appears more reactive, less assertive, and chronically tentative in dealing with national security threats.
NPP GERMANY firmly believes that the most glaring failure, and one that alone disqualifies any talk of extension, is the unfettered spread of illegal mining—galamsey. Under Yohuno’s watch, galamsey continues to ravage Ghana’s forests, poison its rivers, and empower criminal mining syndicates.
Communities have cried out, chiefs have lamented, and environmental scientists have raised alarms. Still, the security forces largely look on as if paralysed or compromised.
If the IGP cannot act decisively against the number one internal security threat undermining the survival of Ghana’s ecosystem and economy, then what exactly has he done to merit staying beyond his retirement age? In many countries, such failure would trigger a resignation, not a presidential reward.
Supporters of the extension will argue that Yohuno needs more time to consolidate reforms. But reforms, by definition, must produce visible results—not rhetoric, not press conferences, not internal memos. What the public has seen so far is a police administration that remains timid in confronting, hesitant in dealing with galamsey kingpins, and disturbingly comfortable with the old status quo.
The Police Council’s recommendation for an extension only deepens suspicions that the security services are being shaped to suit political timelines rather than national priorities. Institutions do not mature when their succession systems are bypassed.
Senior officers waiting in line for progressive leadership opportunities are now pushed aside because the presidency finds convenience in extending one man’s tenure.
This creates a dangerous precedent. If mandatory retirement age laws can be casually set aside whenever convenient, what stops future presidents from turning the security services into retirement sanctuaries for loyalists? Why should rank-and-file officers take discipline seriously when rules at the top are bent with impunity?
The letter from Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, only adds bureaucratic polish to a fundamentally flawed decision stating that Yohuno will continue from December 28, 2025, after turning 60, does not make the move any less problematic. Retirement ages exist for a reason—they prevent stagnation, encourage renewal, and protect institutions from undue political manipulation.
Yohuno’s supporters emphasise his calm demeanour, administrative experience, and long service. But Ghana does not need an IGP known for managing files.
Ghana needs an IGP who can fearlessly confront galamsey barons, decisively control rising crime, and restore integrity to a police service widely perceived as corrupt and partisan.
What the country has witnessed instead is a continuation of weak enforcement, timid action on illegal mining, and an uninspiring command approach that has done little to restore public confidence. This is the reality, no matter how beautifully the presidency’s letter tries to phrase it.
President Mahama must be reminded that leadership is not about comfort; it is about courage. It is easy to retain an IGP who poses no political inconvenience. It is harder, but patriotic, to allow institutional renewal through established succession structures.
There is nothing extraordinary about Yohuno’s tenure. No groundbreaking reforms. No transformational policing strategy. No decisive crackdown on galamsey. No sweeping institutional cleansing.
The extension therefore stands on shaky ground—morally, administratively, and strategically.
Ghana deserves better. The Police Service deserves fresh leadership. And the rule of law deserves respect—not just in rhetoric, but in action. Extending the IGP’s tenure beyond the mandatory retirement age is the wrong decision at the wrong time, and it sends the wrong message about Ghana’s commitment to strong, independent, and accountable public institutions.
Ghana’s democracy deserves better.
God Bless Our Homeland Ghana!!!
Long Live Ghana, long live the Elephant Party!!!!
Kukruduuuu Eeeessshiii!!!
Signed:
Nana Osei Boateng
NPP GERMANY
Communications Director
