Criminal clearance services have been decentralized as part of the Ghana Police Service’s transformational agenda to improve the delivery of policing services to the public
This is a first step towards full automation of the process.
Effective Monday, May 22, 2023, persons seeking criminal clearance can do so in any of the 25 Police regions across the country.
Currently, all criminal background checks are conducted exclusively at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Accra, and individuals and organisations who require this service have to travel all the way to Accra just for this purpose.
A statement issued by the Police explained that in order to ease this burden, the criminal clearance service has been decentralized to all the 25 Police Regions across the country and the service can now be assessed from these locations without the need to come to Accra.
The service will be offered at Ahafo-Goaso, Ashanti-Kumasi, Ashanti South -Bekwai, Ashanti North-Mampong, Bono-Sunyani, Bono East-Techiman, Tema, Central-Cape Coast, Central East-Kasoa, Central North-Assin Fosu, Eastern-Koforidua, Eastern South-Kibi.
Other commands to offer the service are Eastern North-Mpraeso, Northern-Tamale, North-East-Nalerigu, Oti-Dambai, Savanah-Damango, Upper East-Bolga, Upper West-Wa, Volta-Ho, Volta North-Hohoe, Western-Takoradi, Western Central-Tarkwa and Western North-Sewi Wiawso.
The statement said the second phase of the automation process will entail an online application process.
The decentralisation of the criminal clearance process is expected to make the service more accessible and convenient for individuals across the country, thereby bringing another policing service closer to the doorstep of the public.
The Service urged the public to support them in their effort to become the best institution in the country and a reference point for Africa and beyond.
The Police Service is a single cohesive unit, organized on national basis with a unified command under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police [IGP], who, subject to any direction/directives from the Police Council, is responsible for exercising general day-to-day supervision and control over the Administration and Operation of the Police Service.
The Police Service, which has a very compact but flexible organization, aims at accomplishing the Service’s mission at all times.
The following are the main functions of the service:
- The protection of life and property
- Prevention and detection of crime
- Apprehension and prosecution of offenders
- Preservation of peace and good order
- Enforcement of all laws Acts, Decrees and other regulations with which it is directly charged.
Vision
To be a world-class Police Service capable of delivering Planned, Democratic, Protective and Peaceful services up to standards of international best practice.
Mission
The Ghana Police Service exists to deliver services in Crime Prevention Detection, Apprehension and Prosecution of offenders consistent with the expectations of Ghana stakeholders for Maximum Protection, Safe, Secure and Peaceful Communities.
Values
- To be honest in our activities. To be firm but fair.
- Work in partnership with the community.
- Be impartial.
- Value human life, respect the dignity of each individual and render service with courtesy and civility.
- Be confidential
- Be disciplined
- Serve with excellence
- Be respectful, open and accountable to the community.
