Goodwill Message On The Occasion Of The 70th Anniversary Celebration Of Women Policing In Ghana By Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Honourable Member Of Parliament For Klottey-Korle Constituency And Deputy Ranking Member On The Select Committee On Defence And Interior

As we celebrate 70 years of female policing in Ghana, we need to ensure that Ghana remembers this important milestone. We need to ensure that our beloved country continues to celebrate the achievements of the Ghanaian Policewoman who has selflessly set herself apart for the protection of the citizenry. I am very inspired by the fact that my mother, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, during her tenure as the Frist Lady of the Republic of Ghana, contributed her quota to the establishment of the Police Ladies Association, POLAS. She was also instrumental in ensuring that the policewomen and other women in the security services were given the opportunity to go on peacekeeping operations, which was indeed monumental in our history as a nation that had already established itself as one the most distinguished in the arena of Peace Support Operations by virtue of the stellar performance of its troops.

Indeed, as we refer to gender mainstreaming and as we strive to have greater equality in the various sectors, we must ensure that the Ghana Police Service remains a pacesetter. The Republic of Ghana must remain cognizant of the role that women have played in Policing in Ghana and the struggles that women have gone through and continue to encounter.

We have a duty as women to contribute towards good governance and that includes transparency, inclusivity, Rule of Law, safety and security, equity, accountability, and ethical leadership.

It has been over two decades since the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 was passed. It focused on disproportionate impact of conflict on women and it further drew attention to gender balance, gender mainstreaming and accountability. Despite the UNSCR 1325 and subsequent resolutions, very real challenges remain for women not only in policing, but across the other security agencies, so we cannot rest on our oars!

Given the number of women Ghana has deployed in Peacekeeping Missions/Peace Support Operations globally, it is quite clear that Ghana is an ahead of many other countries that have not met their quota of female participation and representation per the UN recommendations, therefore, you must celebrate yourselves. Ayekoo!

Currently, the very real challenge that we face now is the downward drift of the violent extremism and terrorism from the Sahel towards the Coastal Countries in the subregion. The Gulf of Guinea presents an added dimension of maritime crime which has an impact on our internal security, thereby broadening the scope of your mandate as Police Officers.