The Asantehene, Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, has cautioned the Ghana Police Service to remain politically neutral and serve the nation impartially, stressing that the Service must not align itself with any political party.

He gave the warning during his historic maiden visit to the Police Headquarters in Accra, a move aimed at strengthening peace, security, and collaboration between the Police Service and traditional authorities.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that safeguarding national peace is a shared responsibility between state institutions and traditional leadership, describing the visit as a partnership rooted in mutual respect.

“One institution draws its authority from ancestral memory, while the other derives its mandate from the Constitution.

Yet both exist for a sacred task — preserving order, dignity, and peace in society,” the Asantehene stated.

The revered monarch praised officers of the Ghana Police Service for their dedication and sacrifices in maintaining law and order, from the lowest ranks to the top command, and commended their role in sustaining Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of peace and stability.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the men and women in blue. I thank you for your faithful service and for standing guard while we sleep,” he said.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also highlighted the importance of traditional governance systems in maintaining law and order, noting that custom was the first law and tradition the country’s earliest constitution.

In response, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, acknowledged the critical role of traditional leaders in peacebuilding and national security, describing the Asantehene’s visit as a historic milestone.

“The Police Service recognises the invaluable role traditional leaders play in ensuring peace and security.

We therefore see this engagement as a collaborative effort, since the protection of the nation is a shared concern,” the IGP said.

Mr. Yohuno expressed delight at hosting the Asantehene, describing the visit as unprecedented and symbolic.

“This occasion will be permanently etched in the institutional memory of the Ghana Police Service and our national security architecture,” he noted.

He further reflected on Ghana’s rich history of traditional policing, observing that long before modern policing systems were introduced, indigenous African societies had established effective mechanisms for law enforcement, conflict resolution, and community safety.