Trailblazing Appointment
The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, has been elected to the newly formed Interpol Africa Committee.
The announcement was made by the Ghana Police Service in a statement issued on Sunday, August 31, 2025. COP Donkor, who will serve a four-year term, becomes the only woman on the committee — a development hailed as a milestone for gender inclusion in African policing.
Recognition of Leadership
According to the Police Service, COP Donkor’s election reflects her extensive record of leadership within the Ghana Police Service and her contributions to law enforcement over the years.
Her appointment is being celebrated not only as a personal achievement but also as a recognition of Ghana’s growing influence in global policing and international security structures.
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Mandate of the Interpol Africa Committee
The newly established Interpol Africa Committee has been tasked with strengthening police cooperation across the continent. Its responsibilities include:
- Identifying priority areas in the fight against crime,
- Advising the African Regional Conference, and
- Proposing courses of action on policing and security challenges affecting the region.
Regional Representation
In addition to Ghana, other African countries represented on the committee for four-year terms include Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa. Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Sudan were elected for two-year terms.
The Police Service emphasized that COP Donkor’s role provides Africa with an opportunity to draw on her expertise in criminal investigations and her track record in law enforcement reform.
