Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu constituency, has raised questions regarding the age and career timeline of Ghana’s newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP), COP Christian Tetteh Yuhono.
During a recent parliamentary session, Afenyo-Markin alluded to discrepancies in the official account of Yuhono’s tenure, suggesting that further scrutiny would be necessary.
COP Yuhono, who is reported to be 60 years old, was appointed IGP earlier this year, succeeding COP George Akuffo Dampare, who is 55. While introducing the new IGP, the Minister of Government Communications mentioned that Yuhono had served in the Ghana Police Service for over four decades.
This claim, Afenyo-Markin noted, prompts questions about when Yuhono joined the force, given his age.
“It was stated that the new IGP has spent 40 years in the service. So, we will do the mathematics to determine whether he joined at 19, 20, or 18,” Afenyo-Markin said, adding that he was simply making a point about the potential implications for Yuhono’s retirement timeline. While acknowledging the IGP’s distinguished career, the legislator highlighted that the public had the right to understand the full context of his service.
Yuhono’s appointment has been viewed by many as a reflection of his extensive law enforcement experience. Over the years, he has held various leadership roles within the Ghana Police Service, including his most recent position as Deputy IGP in charge of Operations. Prior to his promotion in July 2024, Yuhono had an extensive regional command career, with stints as Accra Central Divisional Commander and later as Regional Commander for the Greater Accra region.
Despite the political questioning, there has been widespread recognition of Yuhono’s longstanding commitment to public safety and his contribution to crime prevention and law enforcement excellence. His ascent to the top of the police hierarchy marks a pivotal moment in his career, even as concerns over the accuracy of his service record continue to be raised.
Source:TheDotNews