COP Addo-Danquah’s career marked by political misconceptions

The first time COP/Mrs. Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah received a promotion through special recommendation was during the tenure of Mr. Mohammed Alhassan as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), under President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
At the time, she was a Chief Superintendent of Police and was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) ahead of her peers for establishing the Police Command and Staff College at Winneba.
However, this particular promotion sparked discussions intertwined with political undertones and enmity.
The emphasis was placed more on the government under whose tenure she was promoted rather than the merits of her accomplishments.
The prevailing sentiment was that her promotion was due to President Mahama and the NDC rather than her hard work, commitment, and dedication, which led to the establishment of the Winneba Command and Staff College.

Political labels and career progression
She was quickly labeled as one of John Dramani Mahama’s favorites within the police service.
However, in 2016, when Mahama and the NDC lost the elections, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) with Nana Akufo-Addo took over governance, she continued to rise in rank.
Initially, COP/Mrs. Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah served as the Deputy Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) before eventually being appointed as the Director-General of CID when COP/Mr. Bright Oduro retired.
Her progression from Deputy Director-General to Director-General of CID once again became entangled in political discourse, with many linking her career advancements to political affiliations.
When she was promoted from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) to Commissioner of Police (COP), the perception was that she had become an NPP favorite within the police service.
The narrative shifted to suggest that she was rising within the ranks due to her alleged ties to the NPP and President Akufo-Addo.

EOCO appointment and political scrutiny
Her political affiliations became even more contentious when President Nana Akufo-Addo appointed her as the head of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) in 2022.
Once again, public discourse was not centered on her competence or capability but rather on the political party under whose administration she received the appointment.
Critics claimed she was given the role due to her perceived allegiance to the NPP.
She faced backlash from party loyalists on the opposing side, who questioned the legitimacy of her appointment.
The tension reached its peak when, on January 7, 2025, after the NDC and John Dramani Mahama regained power, NDC-affiliated individuals stormed EOCO and vandalized a bust erected in her honor by EOCO staff.
Eventually, she was reassigned to the National Police Headquarters, where she was made the Director-General of the Research and Planning Directorate.

A surprising new appointment under NDC
Just as she was settling into her new role, another unexpected appointment came from the newly elected NDC government.
She was appointed as a Technical Advisor to the Interior Minister, a decision that reignited political debates.
Only a few months prior, under the NPP administration, she was perceived as an NPP favorite within the police service.
However, her new role in the NDC government suddenly transformed her into an alleged NDC loyalist, with critics arguing she had been rewarded with a major appointment.

The Mystery of COP Addo-Danquah
Her career trajectory has raised questions about why she is consistently perceived as a favorite of any government in power, regardless of political affiliation.
Perhaps a thorough academic study is needed to understand this phenomenon.
Until then, it remains a subject of political speculation.
Having had both personal and professional interactions with her over the past eight years, I have observed her respect for all individuals, regardless of political affiliations.
For COP/Mrs. Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, everyone matters, irrespective of social or political status.
She has often confided that her main interest is working in a conducive environment where she can effectively perform her duties as a law enforcement officer.
She acknowledges that policing at strategic levels is influenced by the government and believes that any officer who wishes to make an impact must possess the ability to engage with politicians across the political divide.

Her approach to politics and leadership
For her, it is always about securing the support of the government of the day to execute her duties.
She strives to maintain a good relationship with political actors, treating every politician as a potential ally who can provide leverage for her to do her job efficiently.
While she remains resolute and can withstand political pressure in maintaining professionalism, she does so without creating animosity.
She keeps her doors open for dialogue and negotiations, even when disagreements arise with political figures. Her tactfulness and diplomatic approach to handling matters have made her a unique figure within the police service.
To the ordinary police officer, she is the proverbial African mother with enough nurturing to cater to all.
To both the NPP and the NDC, she remains a mysterious police officer whose influence cannot be underestimated.
She waves both party flags with a bright smile, while it is often the party foot soldiers who become aggrieved by her appointments.
However, in reality, the top political figures in both the NPP and NDC always receive her with warm smiles.

Looking ahead
As she embarks on her new role as the Technical Advisor to the Interior Minister under President John Dramani Mahama, all eyes will be on how she navigates this phase of her career.
Will she continue to defy political expectations, or will she be caught up in another cycle of political labeling? Time will tell.

By Ahanta Apemenyimheneba Kwofie III