Former IGP Mohammed Alhassan launches memoir, calls for reflection, reform, and renewed commitment to Ghana’s policing values.
Former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, has launched his memoir, An Aroma of Policing, offering a deeply personal and reflective account of his journey through the ranks of the Ghana Police Service and beyond. The event, held in Accra, brought together dignitaries, security professionals, family, and friends, all united to honour the legacy of a man who helped shape modern policing in Ghana.
“I am truly overwhelmed with joy and deeply honoured by your presence here today,” the former IGP began, addressing the packed auditorium. “Your support reminds me of a Swahili proverb: A distant stick cannot kill a snake. It speaks to the power of support and community, and your presence here affirms that truth.”
A Journey Rooted in Heritage
Alhassan recounted how his journey into law enforcement was not planned but predestined. Born to a father who served as an Escort Policeman, he was raised and educated in the police barracks. In his words, “Policing was far from a prestigious career in the 1960s, but fate had other plans.”
From those humble beginnings, he rose through the ranks to become Ghana’s top police officer, a career he never imagined as a child.
“Looking back, I now realise that policing was not just a profession, but a calling, one written long before I accepted it,” he reflected. “Even in retirement, my heart has remained with the Ghana Police Service.”
Preserving Memory, Inspiring Reform
The former IGP said the memoir was not written to glorify the past, but to preserve institutional memory and provoke reflection on the state and future of policing in Ghana.
“One of the concerns I raise in the book is how the discontinuation of useful reform programmes has harmed the Service. Institutions do not grow through constant reinvention. They are built through continuity, reflection, and purposeful reform.”
An Aroma of Policing, he explained, poses difficult but necessary questions: What is the true essence of policing? Where have we faltered? And how do we restore honour and professionalism to the uniform?
“The police uniform must not be worn for visibility or power. It must represent a personal commitment to justice, law, and public trust,” Alhassan emphasised.
A Call to Media and Academia
He expressed hope that the book would attract greater academic inquiry and media engagement in law enforcement beyond sensational headlines.
“We must encourage more balanced, research-based and constructive engagement with law enforcement. Only through such efforts can we achieve community safety and national cohesion.”
Gratitude and Dedication
Alhassan extended heartfelt gratitude to his wife, Jane, and his family for their patience and support during the writing of the memoir.
“They endured my long hours in solitude, my frequent distractions, and countless drafts. Their support has been the backbone of this journey.”
He also thanked DigiBooks, the publishers, for their unwavering belief in the project and professionalism in helping to bring the memoir to life.
“This book has been a labour of love, an idea that germinated long before I put pen to paper. I hope readers find it engaging, thought-provoking, and worthy of their time.”
In concluding his address, the retired police chief shared a final proverb: “As the Igbo people say, when you thank someone for the good they have done, they go on to do more.”
By Peter Quao Adattor
