Ghana has, over the years, been successfully moving away from a status quo where high-level and influential positions were largely occupied by only men, especially in the security agencies.

Today, some of the country’s top security agencies are headed by women, reflecting a shift toward greater gender representation in leadership.

Profile of new Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie

This article by GhanaWeb highlights the personalities of some of these women who are currently leading these institutions across Ghana.

Lydia Yaako Donkor

Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor serves as Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

A seasoned legal practitioner and career police officer, she oversees criminal investigations nationwide, guiding intelligence-led operations, forensic work, and case management across regional commands.

She was appointed to head the CID in March 2025 by the Inspector General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno.

Her leadership is associated with strengthening investigative standards and professionalising detective work within the service.

She is well known for her role in dismantling a human trafficking ring in Nigeria, partnering with QNET to fight internet fraud among other roles.

She also made history as the first Ghanaian, and the only woman, elected to serve on the newly established INTERPOL Africa Committee.

Patience Baffoe-Bonnie

Patience Baffoe-Bonnie heads the Ghana Prisons Service as Director-General.

With a background in law and corrections administration, she is responsible for prison management, inmate welfare, and rehabilitation policies across the country.

Baffoe-Bonnie joined the Ghana Prisons Service in 1987 as a junior officer with an Advanced Level Certificate.

She was admitted into the Senior Officer Corps in 1994 after completing cadet training.

On February 6, 2024, she was promoted to the rank of Deputy Director-General of Prisons.

She has risen through the ranks wile serving in wide range of positions, including serving as a Chief Legal Officer, Director of Prisons Health, Technical & Services, Director of Services, Director of Operations as well as Deputy Director-General (Finance and Administration).

She has also held various command and instructional roles such as Adjutant, Course Commander, Classroom Instructor, and Officer-In-Charge.

She was appointed to her current role on March 14, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama, making her the second woman in Ghana's history to hold the position.

Her tenure focuses on reform initiatives, skills training for inmates, and improving conditions within correctional facilities.

Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong

Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong made history as the Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, leading national fire prevention, rescue operations, and public safety education.

Her appointment was confirmed by President John Mahama at a commissioning ceremony on February 24, 2026.

With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, resilience, and leadership in fire safety, emergency response, and administrative governance.

Since her enlistment into the service on November 1, 1992, as a cadet officer, and her commissioning as an officer on August 6, 1993, she has risen through the ranks with unwavering commitment.

Meet Ghana's first female Chief Fire Officer

Her appointment as Chief Fire Officer is a proof to her immense contributions and serves as an inspiration to future generations in emergency services.

She supervises operational readiness, emergency response coordination, and community fire safety campaigns, while advancing modern firefighting standards and capacity building within the service.

MAG/AE

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