Permit me to make a quick guess, you are reading this article for two reasons. First, you probably want to become a gallant Ghanaian Police Officer, and the second reason, you want to know all about the Ghana Police Service ranks and salary structure. Whichever your reason might be I can assure you, that you just chose the right article to provide you the information you need and more.
Ghana police service (GPS)
The Ghana Police Service is the principal law enforcement agency in Ghana. The Ghana Police Service was formed in 1894, at that time it was known as the GOLD COAST POLICE SERVICE. The name was changed in 1957 to the GHANA POLICE SERVICE, after the country again her independence. The Ghana Police Service has over 30,000 well-trained officers and 651 stations across Ghana. The sole purpose of the Ghana Police Service is to maintain law and order.
The Ghana Police Service carries out its operations in twelve divisions. Ten divisions covering the ten states in Ghana. Another division is allocated precisely to the seaport and industrial hub of Tema. The last division is assigned to the Railways, Ports, and Harbor.
In April 2011, the Ghana Police Service created an additional division, which is known as the Marine Police Unit (MPU). The Marine Police Unit is created to tackle every problem that arises or might arise from the country’s offshore oil and gas industry.
Ghana police service ranks
Every sane administrative system has a structure or hierarchy. This structure helps to ensure that employees perform their duties effectively. The Ghana Police Service understands the importance of a ranking structure, thus has established its official structure to follow a suitable chain of command.
In the list below you will see the ranks of the Ghana police service from the least to the most senior:
- Constable
- Lance Corporal
- Corporal
- Sergeant
- Chief inspector
- Subordinate Police Officer
- Assistant Superintendent
- Deputy Superintendent
- Superintendent
- Chief superintendent
- Assistant Commissioner
- Deputy Commissioner
- Deputy inspector general Commissioner
- Inspector General of police
- Superior officers
From the list above, you will notice that the Superior Officer is the highest-ranking officer of the Ghana Police Service while the Constable is the least ranking officer of the Ghana police service.
Ghana Police Service Salary Structure
The Ghana Police Service is an independent sector, but it is supervised by the Federal Ministry of Interior. The Federal Ministry of Interior oversees the affairs of the Ghana Police Service and its duties which include preventing and detecting crime, retaining public order and the safety of persons and properties.
In the year 2010, there was an implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS). The implementation of this structure resulted in an increase in the salary of officers of the Ghana Police Service.
The higher your rank in the Ghana Police Service the higher your responsibility and salary. According to the Ghana Police Service Structure, an officer with a graduate degree earns more than one who is a WASSCE holder.
- A university graduate who wants to join the Ghana Police service is placed in the Chief Inspector Rank. With a monthly salary of GhC1,400.
- A WASSCE holder recruit is retained in the Constable Rank. With a monthly take-home of GhC700.
The Ghana Police Service Structure made provision for bonuses and allowances, which is available to both men and women of the Ghana Police Service. However, the allowances and bonuses are based on years of service, ranks, and performance.
The entry requirement into the Ghana Police Service
In case you are pondering on how you can be drafted as an officer of the Ghana Police Service. All the requirements and conditions for recruitment are stated below.
For Graduate entry
As a graduate you must meet up the following requirements:
- You must be a citizen of Ghana.
- You must not have been convicted of a criminal offense.
- You must have bagged a degree from any of the Ghanaian accredited universities not below Second Class lower.
- You must have concluded your mandatory National Service.
- You must be knowledgeable about
- You should not be less than 21 years and more than 28 years old at the time of applying.
- You must be physically and medically fit.
- You must be of good character.
- The minimum required height for males is 1.73m (5ft8inches) and for females is 1.63m (5ft4inches).
- Have at least 5 credits in any of WASSCE or BECE which must include a credit in English and a Pass in Mathematics.
For non-graduate entry
If you fall into this class you should possess the following requirements:
- You must be a citizen of Ghana.
- You must not have any criminal record.
- You must be certified medically and physically fit.
- You must be certified of good character.
- The minimum required height for males is 1.73m (5ft8inches) and for females is 1.63m (5ft4inches).
- Have at least 5 credits in any of WASSCE or BECE which must include a credit in English and a Pass in Mathematics.
- You should not be less than 21 years and more than 28 years old at the time of applying.
I hope this information has been useful in your search for knowledge about the Ghana Police Service Ranks and Salary Structure. Good luck.
See details of Other Military and Paramilitary services in Ghana
- List of Military Barracks in Ghana
- Ghana Immigration Service Ranks & Salary Structure (2023)
- Ranks in Ghana army and Salary Structure (2023)
- Ghana Police Service Ranks and Salary Structure in 2023
