The Ghana Police Service is set to admit a record number of cadet officers into the Police Academy as part of Course 54, in what officials describe as the largest single intake in the institution’s history.
More than 700 cadet officers are expected to be enrolled under a newly activated dual training model that combines both residential and non-residential systems.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, in collaboration with the Police Management Board (POMAB).
According to the Police Administration, the expansion is intended to address longstanding accommodation challenges while ensuring that qualified Chief Inspectors are not denied opportunities for career advancement into senior ranks.
Officials emphasised that the approach is not unprecedented, noting that similar arrangements have been adopted in the past during periods of high cadet intake.
Under former IGP Paul Tawiah Quaye in 2011, both residential and non-residential training models were used, while another former IGP, P. K. Acheampong, decentralised cadet training across multiple locations, including Accra, Winneba and Pwalugu, to ease infrastructure constraints.
The administration dismissed criticisms suggesting the model is unusual, insisting that it aligns with both historical precedent and evolving global policing training practices. It explained that while residential training remains essential for recruits, career progression programmes can effectively incorporate a blended model.
Statistics from previous intakes highlight the scale of the expansion. Course 51 admitted 308 officers, Course 52 had 344, and Course 53 recorded 432 officers. In contrast, Course 54 is expected to significantly surpass these figures.
In a major policy shift, all 7,500 Chief Inspectors in the service were permitted to sit for the Police Academy Entrance Examination. Following an amnesty granted by the President to candidates who scored between 50 and 52 marks—alongside those who scored between 53 and 75—a total of 1,063 officers qualified for admission.
Additional candidates include under-cadets and officers recognised for outstanding performance in operations and crime-fighting.
The Police Administration has assured personnel that all qualified officers under Courses 54, 55 and 56 will eventually undergo training. To support the intake, additional accommodation facilities have been secured within Accra, while officers based around the Police Depot and Tesano will have the option to participate as non-residential cadets.
Authorities also indicated that transport and logistics arrangements are being finalised to ensure smooth participation, while academy staffing—particularly kitchen and support personnel—has been expanded to meet the increased demand.
Officials further stated that lecture halls and training facilities have been upgraded to maintain high standards throughout the six-to-nine-month programme.
Meanwhile, the Police Administration has rejected allegations of bribery, examination malpractice and irregularities linked to the entrance process.
It maintained that no formal petitions have been received and described the claims as baseless.
As preparations advance, the administration is urging public support for what it characterises as a major reform aimed at strengthening leadership capacity within the Ghana Police Service.
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