IGP Yohuno clarifies Bawku recruitment comments: No preferential treatment in police enlistment

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno has addressed recent criticisms following his remarks suggesting that youth in Bawku would be given priority in police recruitment if they lay down their arms.

During a community engagement in Bawku, a video circulated showing the IGP suggesting that youth who lay down their arms would be given priority in police recruitment.

This led to public backlash and media scrutiny.

Speaking to the media, the IGP explained he intended to encourage inclusivity by decentralizing the recruitment process, particularly for individuals in remote and conflict-affected areas.

He assured that while efforts would be made to ensure accessibility for all potential applicants, every candidate would still be required to meet the established criteria and pass through the standard recruitment procedures.

The IGP reiterated his commitment to maintaining fairness and transparency in the recruitment process, ensuring that no individual or group receives undue advantage.

“Many times we have recruitment centralised at the national headquarters, and then we are not able to get the full benefit of a regional balance of people being recruited. I have seen that there is a desire to get the job done,” he said.

“I am giving them the assurance that they should put down their arms. We have a lot of people in the police service now who came from this area, and we realise that they have helped a lot in the discharge of their duties as officers.”

“The assurance we gave to them was that ‘put down your weapons, and when it comes to recruitment, we will give you the advantage to participate, go through the normal process.’ I didn’t say anything wider to maybe show the requirement, but it looks as if the media is reporting something different; they will go through the normal process,” he added.

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