Former Inspector General of Police of Ghana (IGP Rtd.) Mr. Mohammed A. Alhassan has written a fascinating book, set out in readable form, about a “Police Barracks boy” born into the Police and, by dint of hardwork, focus and determination, rising to the pinnacle of the Ghana Police Service.

At a time of multiple security challenges, banditry, impunity, indiscipline and the rise of various social movements, when the role of the Police in maintaining law and order has often been under scrutiny, it is refreshing to read the story of a reformist Police Officer averse to political interference, who put service to citizens, communities, integrity, competence and professionalism as the lodes star of his distinguished career.

By the time he attained the apex position, (IGP Rtd.) Alhassan had served in several senior international positions and at the United Nations Police (UNPOL) at UN Headquarters. Indeed, he played an important role together with his colleagues at the time, in its conversion from a Unit into a Division under the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

This background inspired his reforms designed to implant international best policing practices within the Ghana Police Service to make it agile, crime-prevention oriented and people friendly.

He devotes the concluding sections (pp 621-638) to Proffering bold recommendations to improve the performance of the Police. They pertain to constitutional amendments of the Police Commission, appointment of the IGP to insulate the process from parochial “partisan politics,” institutional restructuring, culture change, community policing, all women Formed Police Units to address pertinent gender issues, among others.

I fully endorse the book and recommend it as compulsory reading for Police Training Courses at all levels, but also to students of Security Sector Reform, Policy Makers, all serving personnel and the general public at large.

Mohamed Ibn Chambas

African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns in Africa, Former President ECOWAS Commission (2006-2010)