The Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has approved a major increase in admissions to the Police Academy, raising the intake for Cadet Officer Course 54 to more than 700 officers — the largest in the institution’s history.
The Police Academy has traditionally admitted between 300 and 400 cadet officers per intake. However, the current administration has significantly expanded the number to create more opportunities for career progression within the Ghana Police Service.
Records indicate that Course 51 admitted 308 officers, Course 52 admitted 344 officers, while Course 53 enrolled 432 officers.
New Training Arrangement
To accommodate the unprecedented intake, the police administration has adopted both residential and non-residential training models for Course 54.
According to sources within the service, the decision was taken to ensure that accommodation shortages do not prevent qualified Chief Inspectors from advancing into senior leadership positions.
The administration explained that the blended training approach is not new, noting that similar systems were used under former IGPs, including Paul Tawiah Quaye and P. K. Acheampong, especially during periods of high admissions.
Officials also stated that the immediate past IGP, George Akuffo Dampare, used both residential and non-residential arrangements during training exercises.
More Opportunities for Officers
The administration said the expanded intake reflects a commitment to creating advancement opportunities for deserving officers rather than limiting promotions because of infrastructure challenges.
For the first time, all 7,500 Chief Inspectors in the service were allowed to sit for the Police Academy Entrance Examination.
Following a presidential amnesty for candidates who scored between 50 and 52 marks, alongside those who scored between 53 and 75 marks, a total of 1,063 officers qualified for admission.
Additional officers who distinguished themselves in operational duties and crime-fighting activities have also been recommended for training.
Assurance on Training Standards
The police administration has assured officers that all qualified personnel placed under Courses 54, 55, and 56 will eventually undergo cadet training.
To support the exercise, additional accommodation facilities have been secured in Accra, while officers living around the Police Depot and Tesano areas will have the option to participate as non-residential cadets.
Authorities also indicated that transportation, logistics, and welfare arrangements are being strengthened to support the large number of trainees.
The IGP has further approved the expansion of academy staff, including support and kitchen personnel, while lecture halls and training facilities have been upgraded to ensure effective learning and discipline throughout the six-to-nine-month programme.
According to the administration, despite the larger intake, training standards and discipline will not be compromised.
