The Police Ladies Association (POLA) in the Volta region has held a thanksgiving service to mark the commemoration of 70 years of women policing in Ghana.
The thanksgiving service held at the Volta Regional Police Training school in Ho on Sunday, follow a series of activities undertaken to mark a week long celebration on the theme: “Celebrating 70 years of female policing in Ghana; Her evolution and future.”
The week-long celebration of the association began with a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister and Head of the Regional Security Council, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa.
This was followed by a donation of split unti airconditioners to the Volta Regional Police Training school in Ho by the female officers.
Other activities include a float on the principal streets of Ho, a clean-up exercise at the Ho main market and at the Ho Teaching Hospital.
Speaking on the theme, President of POLA Volta, DSP Effia Tenge said the involvement of women in policing for the past 70-years is an indication of the relevance of women in nation building.
“Women, we are very important aspect of society, our roles begin from the home and it doesn’t end in the home -it goes beyond that. And so, as managers of the home, we excel wherever we go; the world cannot be where it is without the contributions and support of women.”
“So therefore, I want to urge that wherever we find ourselves as women, we shouldn’t have limitations for ourselves, we must be transformational, when given the opportunity to lead, we should not entertain fears. I believe women have done si much in leadership positions which should motivate us,” DSP Tenge added.
In Hohoe on Friday, the association also made donations towards the upkeep of children of two of their compatriots who died while in active service in September 2021 and January this year -a gesture DSP Effia Tenge, described as a “show of love and care” to the families.
At a thanksgiving service to climax the week celebration, the Guest Speaker and wife of the Volta Regional Minister, Mrs. Victoria Letsa eulogised the bravery of the first 12 women to be enlisted into the service noting that their decision opened the door for more women.
She said, “It is my expectation that the number of female police officers in Ghana Police Service will equal that of their male counterparts in the coming years.”
“I further wish to use this opportunity to salute the first twelve police women who set the pace and braced the storm to get enlisted into the male dominated service on 1st September, 1952 -little did they know that their humble beginning was going to serve as motivation to many young Ghanaian women to dream and be part of Ghana Police Service,” she added.