Kofi Amankwah-Manu, the former Deputy Defence Minister, has said President John Mahama’s decision to extend the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno’s tenure does not augur well.
According to him, Mahama’s move could unsettle senior officers who were waiting in line for the IGP role.
He explained that Police officers work with the hope that their dedication could lead to promotion to the highest office in the Service.
Speaking in an interview on Joy News on November 25, 2025, Kofi Amankwah-Manu stated, “This really does not augur well for the full commitment of people. You need people to work for something, and by way of doing that, when they work, knowing very well that tomorrow, they can be recognised and be made IGP. But then, you know, you just cut it off because you have one person who probably will do your bidding. Well, I think it’s, for me, if you ask me, it’s a sorry state”.
“It will even kill that spirit of wanting to work hard to see the police grow. Because after all, there will be nothing to look up to, nothing to fight for. So if I am there, and I have about three years, and I know that, look, if I do so well, commit myself to doing that, to move the police forward, I will be recognised and probably be made an IGP, if I happen to be the second in line. And then you have this IGP having his tenure extended. What it means is that I don’t have anywhere going. I am completely locked up. So what do I have to do? It’s going to be business as usual,” he added.
His comments come following Mahama’s approval of a two-year contract extension for the IGP, allowing him to stay in office beyond his statutory retirement date in December 2025.
The decision was signed by Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, following a recommendation from the Police Council.
The re-engagement takes effect from 28 December 2025, during which Yohuno will remain in office.
According to the presidency, the extension is meant to ensure continuity, stability and the consolidation of ongoing reforms within the Service.
The approval allows IGP Yohuno, who was appointed earlier this year, to continue leading the Ghana Police Service for the next two years.
IGP Yohuno has been lauded for improving police visibility, improving crime response strategies, and advancing community policing.
Meanwhile, reports had earlier tipped that Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been tipped to replace the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
Reports suggest, COP Lydia Donkor is tipped to replace IGP Yohuno, who is near his retirement age in December 2025.
Watch the video below:
Extension of IGP's mandate: Former Deputy Defence Minister Kofi Amankwah Manu has described the move as unnecessary, warning that it could undermine morale among senior officers of the Ghana Police Service.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/WGt6HN1lRm
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) November 25, 2025