UCC Matriculates 129 Students from Ghana Police Academy

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has held a matriculation ceremony for 129 students from the Ghana Police Service at the Ghana Police Academy in Accra. The students, comprising 99 males and 30 females, who form the Course 50 Cadet Corps of the Ghana Police Academy, are pursuing the Postgraduate Diploma in Security Studies programme which is a collaboration between UCC and the Ghana Police Service.

The Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, whose speech was delivered by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dora Edu-Buandoh, noted that the collaboration between the two institutions was aimed at equipping personnel to attain the Ghana Police Service’s vision of becoming “A world-class Police Service capable of delivering a planned, democratic, protective and peaceful service up to the standard of international best practice.”

Prof. Edu-Buandoh noted that the matriculation ceremony marked a significant and symbolic moment in the history of the University of Cape Coast and the Ghana Police Service. She indicated that UCC would not renege on its responsibilities to equip Officers with the quality training that is needed to raise their professional competence in the discharge of their duties to meet international standards. “Let me reiterate UCC’s commitment to joining hands with the Ghana Police Service to enhance the training of personnel of the Service to meet the security, crime, and terrorism related challenges in Ghana and beyond. In doing this, we shall provide quality training to attain the Ghana Police Service’s vision of becoming a world-class Police Service capable of delivering a planned, democratic, protective and peaceful service up to the standard of international best practice,” she pointed out.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor noted that the Postgraduate Diploma in Security Studies programme had taken into consideration the gaps in the standards and competencies in the training of Police personnel, adding “It combines traditional training with intellectual education, with the aim of providing broader understanding of security in general; update the skills and competencies of personnel in the areas of strategic research and leadership, as well as national security policy and strategy formulation”.

Prof. Edu-Buandoh implored the pioneer students to strategise, and manage the little time available to them in order to derive maximum benefit from the programme. “Once you have enrolled in this programme, make every conscious effort to finish as a proud Senior Police Officer ready to contribute towards making the Service better than it is today. Posterity will not forgive you if you should fail to achieve this,” she advised.

She urged women on the programme to distinguish themselves to serve as role models for girls in the country to also aspire to become Senior Police Officers.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh in his address, indicated that on his assumption of Office, he noted gaps in the training and curricula architecture of the Service. Consequently, he said a training and curriculum review Committee was constituted in 2020 to assess the content and quality of training at all levels. He noted that upon recommendation by the Committee, UCC was brought on board to affiliate the Police Academy to run the Postgraduate Diploma in Security Studies programme. He said the pioneer students constituted a blend of degree holders who in line with administrative requirements, entered the Academy, and others who passed the competitive promotion examination which was organised by UCC.

The IGP entreated the students to take the course seriously in order to adequately prepare them for the demanding responsibility ahead. He reminded them that “UCC has a very high academic standard, and I therefore, expect that you acquaint yourselves creditably to encourage the Police Administration to carry on with subsequent courses”.