COP Lydia Yaako Donkor,
Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, has been elected to serve a four-year term as a member of the newly formed INTERPOL Africa Committee. She makes history as the first Ghanaian and the only female member on the Committee.
Her election marks a major milestone for Ghana and for women in policing across Africa. As the only woman on the Committee, COP Donkor’s appointment is seen as both a recognition of her distinguished career in law enforcement and a strong statement on the importance of gender inclusion in global security leadership.
The INTERPOL Africa Committee is tasked with strengthening law enforcement cooperation across the continent, identifying strategic priorities in the fight against crime, and providing recommendations to the African Regional Conference on issues of criminality and police cooperation specific to the region.
Ghana’s representation on the Committee is expected to contribute to shaping policies and strategies that tackle organized crime, terrorism, cybercrime, and other cross-border security challenges.
COP Donkor’s achievement is also viewed as an opportunity for Africa to benefit from her expertise, vision, and commitment to justice, accountability, and security over the next four years.
Other members elected to the Committee include Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa, who will also serve four-year terms. Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Sudan will serve two-year terms.
Her election consolidates Ghana’s position as a leader in international policing and positions COP Lydia Yaako Donkor as a trailblazer, inspiring a new generation of women to take up leadership roles in law enforcement.
