By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has cautioned officers of the Ghana Police Service against viewing policing merely as a means of earning a living, insisting that the profession must be driven by a genuine sense of service, compassion, and commitment to the people.
According to the revered traditional ruler, anyone who joins the Police Service primarily for financial gain risks undermining the integrity of the institution and eroding the trust of the public it is meant to protect.
“It is not about money. Policing should be a calling. If you don’t have it, I would advise you not to go, because I don’t think it is about the money,” the Asantehene stated.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II made the remarks during a visit to the Police Headquarters in Accra on January 6, at the invitation of the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
He stressed that law enforcement officers must possess the heart and compassion required to deal with people fairly, humanely, and responsibly, particularly in moments of vulnerability and crisis.
“You should have the heart and compassion for people,” he added.
The visit brought together traditional leaders, senior police officers, and other security stakeholders, marking part of broader efforts to strengthen cooperation between traditional authority and modern law enforcement.
Beyond the issue of motivation, the Asantehene warned that the absence of strong values within the Police Service could weaken discipline and gradually erode public confidence in law enforcement.
He encouraged officers to uphold the highest ethical standards and to see their uniforms as symbols of responsibility and trust, rather than entitlement.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s comments form part of a series of admonitions delivered during his historic engagement with the Police Service, as calls intensify for professionalism, integrity, and people-centred policing across the country.
