The Ghana Police Service remains committed to building a stronger, more transparent relationship with the media, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Grace Ansah Akrofi has said.
Speaking at the Media–Security Dialogue, DCOP Akrofi described the police and the media as “two sides of the same coin,” noting that while the police provide security, the media plays a vital role in communicating both their achievements and shortcomings in the interest of accountability.
She acknowledged that although the relationship between the police and the media dates back many years, it has not been without challenges—making continuous dialogue essential.
A major focus of her remarks was the safety of journalists. Drawing a parallel with the concept of “officer safety” in policing, DCOP Akrofi emphasized that journalists must treat their personal safety as a core responsibility while on assignment.
“I was very happy when a colleague at the back asked what journalists should do in dangerous situations—where to run, where to take cover. It was the first time I heard a journalist speak so openly about safety, and it is very important,” she said.
She urged journalists to always remain conscious of their security, stressing that although the police have a duty to protect the public, individuals must still take precautionary measures.
In some instances, she noted, journalists appear more focused on capturing a story than protecting themselves.
“Sometimes when I watch reports, I get worried. Are you thinking about your safety, or only about the story? Please remember: you need to be alive to tell your story,” she said.
DCOP Akrofi also called for more balanced commitment from journalists in strengthening media–security relations.
While acknowledging that the police take media criticisms in good faith, she encouraged journalists to reflect on their own responsibilities.
“We hear everything you say, and we take it in good faith. But do you acknowledge your own responsibilities in the cases you cite? Are you willing to understand our side? What are you doing differently to improve this partnership?” she asked.
Addressing concerns about the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) law, she challenged claims about delays in police responses to requests.
She explained that while the service responds to most requests, the nationwide chain of command sometimes causes unavoidable delays.
“Sometimes information must travel from headquarters to the region, then to the division, district, and the local station, before returning through the same chain.
This causes delays, but there is no intentional withholding of information,” she clarified.
DCOP Akrofi further highlighted the nature of policing, explaining that it functions in cycles involving prevention, investigation, prosecution, and in some instances, cold cases. Many cases, she said, remain unresolved because the public often withholds crucial information.
“You process information and call it news; we process information and call it intelligence. Yet when incidents occur, the police are rarely present. We depend on information from the public—information many people hold but often will not share,” she noted.
She reminded participants that cold cases are not unique to Ghana, as even countries with advanced investigative systems face similar challenges. Investigations may appear stalled, she explained, not due to abandonment but because key information is missing.
DCOP Akrofi concluded with a call for mutual commitment between the police and the media.
“We cannot claim partnership if one party is more invested than the other.
This is the only Ghana we have.
Our democracy depends on the work of both security officers and journalists.
Let us come to the table ready to learn from one another, especially since many people do not fully understand how the police work. Being open is a good place to start,” she said.
By Sampson Kumah Ifeetwube Elvis
About The Author
