The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has promoted 17 police personnel to their next ranks in recognition of their bravery and dedication in the discharge of their duties.

The newly promoted officers are drawn from the Volta and Ashanti Regional Police Commands, with thirteen (13) officers from the Volta Region and four (4) from the Ashanti Region.

Two separate ceremonies were held in the Volta and Ashanti regions over a two-day period to honour the officers.

The first incident occurred on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, when a task force comprising personnel from the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate (PID), Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU), and the Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), acting on intelligence, mounted a checkpoint at Kpotame on the Accra–Aflao Highway.

A Nigeria-bound Liberty Jeep was intercepted with a consignment of compressed substances suspected to be cocaine, valued at approximately GH¢1,032,650.00. The driver, Charles Adenkule, 46, allegedly offered the officers a bribe of US$20,000, which they rejected.

The suspect was arrested and transported to Ho, the regional capital, for interrogation.

The second operation took place on Friday, January 23, 2026, when another team from the PID, DLEU, and the Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on intelligence that narcotic drugs were being transported to Ho, mounted a snap checkpoint at OLA Top, a suburb of the municipality.

A few hours later, a Ghana Health Service (GHS) Ford bus approached the checkpoint but failed to stop when signalled and sped off. The vehicle was later intercepted and searched, leading to the discovery of 26 maxi sacks containing 2,045 yellow oval-shaped parcels of compressed leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, with a street value of GH¢1,022,500.00.

The driver, Godsway Kwaku Dogbey, 38, who officials of the Ghana Health Service confirmed is a staff member, is currently assisting with investigations.

In a separate incident on the same day, police officers at Jacobu, Bepotenten Sukuum, in the Ashanti South Police Region, recovered a pump-action gun from a 15-year-old boy and instructed him to inform the owner to report to the police with the appropriate documents.

While returning from patrol, the officers were confronted by a crowd of about 100 people armed with cutlasses and firearms, who blocked the road. The mob assaulted the officers and seized a service rifle.

In the ensuing confrontation, the suspect who took possession of the service weapon was shot by police, while another person sustained injuries. The service rifle was successfully retrieved.

Meanwhile, three senior police officers who were part of the various operational teams have been referred to the Appointments and Promotions Advisory Board (APAB) of the Ghana Police Service for consideration.