IGP Yohunu breaks Dampare’s chain, signals collaboration between police and journalists

In what many analysts describe as a bold shift in police-media relations, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohunu has signaled a new era of openness and collaboration between the Ghana Police Service and journalists.

Speaking at the 3rd Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Dinner Night at the Ghana International Press Centre, IGP Yohunu emphasized that his administration is committed to ensuring transparency, accessibility, and active cooperation with the media—departing from the more centralised approach associated with former IGP George Akuffo Dampare.

IGP Christian Tetteh Yohunu, addressing a hall filled with senior editors, reporters, media executives, and frontline journalists, lauded the press for its tireless work in keeping the public informed.

“We know how difficult your work is. From the remotest villages to the busiest highways, journalists bring the first news, sometimes faster than our official communications,” he stated.

The IGP’s remarks underscored the recognition within the police service of journalists not as critics, but as partners in maintaining national security and fostering public trust.

Highlighting concrete measures taken under his leadership, Yohunu detailed the enhanced deployment of security personnel and equipment to combat crime.

He noted that police officers, including those on motorbikes, are now actively pursuing criminals engaged in snatching and highway robberies, while armored vehicles have been strategically positioned across the country to ensure community safety.

“No one should fear the sight of police presence. We are here to protect the citizenry and make every corner of Ghana safe,” he said, promising continuous engagement and responsiveness to media inquiries.

This marks a departure from the tenure of former IGP George Akuffo Dampare, under whom police-media engagement was often described as formal and cautious.

While George Dampare’s administration maintained professional interactions with journalists, Christian Yohunu appears determined to open communication channels more widely, ensuring that even regional commanders are accessible to the press and that information flows more freely.

The IGP also stressed the importance of media collaboration during festive periods, pledging that security efforts during Christmas and New Year celebrations will be robust and highly visible.

“We want to ensure that this festive season, every Ghanaian feels safe. Our men are deployed everywhere, and government support has enabled us to acquire more resources to maintain public security,” he added.

The GJA Dinner Night, hosted by the Association under President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, provided a platform to celebrate journalists’ contributions to democracy, accountability, and national development.

Albert Dwumfour praised journalists for their courage, resilience, and professionalism in reporting news under challenging conditions.

The Association also recognized outstanding contributions, awarding Godwin Asediba of TV3 as the 2024 Journalist of the Year for his exemplary reporting.