A high-level delegation comprising officials from the Sierra Leone Police, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of Justice recently returned from a visit to Ghana to explore best practices in modern policing.
The visit, which took place on August 12, 2024, is aimed at gaining first hand insights into Ghana’s successful transition from a Police Force to a Police Service.
Head of Media and Public Relations, SLP, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Brima Kamara, told a news conference hosted at Police Headquarters in Freetown. Kamara highlighted that the delegation’s primary goal was to understand the operating principles of the Ghana Police Service and the collaborative relationship between the Police and the Ministry of Justice to ensure effective law enforcement.
During the visit, the Sierra Leonean delegation met with Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice to discuss criminal procedure and case management systems. They also engaged with representatives of the Ghana Police Service to learn about the transformation process that redefined their role from a force to a service. Critical discussions focused on the importance of discretion in policing and the need to foster positive relationships with communities.
The delegation further met with officials from Ghana’s Ministry for the Interior to explore opportunities for collaboration and training for the Sierra Leone Police and Correctional Service. The Ghanaian Minister emphasised the challenges of resource constraints and the critical need to address these issues to enhance policing effectiveness.
The visit marks a significant step in Sierra Leone’s efforts to modernise its police force by adopting practices that have proven successful in Ghana.
