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Breaking barriers: Lieutenant Colonel Galley commands Military Police
Lieutenant Colonel Jacqueline Dela Galley has become the first woman to command the Ghana Military Police Unit, marking a milestone in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Lt. Col. Galley said her appointment, announced at the beginning of the year, came as a surprise.
“I was very happy. I was very excited because I was not really expecting it,” she said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, describing it as “a very nice New Year package.”
She said her family was equally delighted, particularly as the appointment coincided with her recent completion of a Master of Philosophy degree in Human Rights, Conflict and Peace Studies.
Lt. Col. Galley said her rise reflected years of deliberate gender mainstreaming within the GAF, supported by international frameworks and initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for women in uniform.
She said her journey into the military was unplanned, explaining that her interest was sparked while studying at the University of Ghana, Legon.
“I did not really know anything about the military, but I was privileged to be in the same class with some service persons. I liked the way they carried themselves. They were more disciplined… very focused, and that motivated me,” she said.
She said she applied after national service, completed the required training and was commissioned into the Ghana Armed Forces on September 7, 2008.
Lt. Col. Galley said she became the first female officer to be posted directly to the Military Police Unit from the academy, a decision facilitated by the then Commanding Officer of the Ghana Military Academy, Brigadier General Ishmael Ben Quartey.
“I told him later that he made the history,” she said. “His decision 19 years ago is manifesting today.”
Lt. Col. Galley said her early years in the Military Police involved administrative duties and investigations, including serving as a provost officer with the United Nations Mission in Côte d’Ivoire and commanding detachments across the country.
“Every course I went to shaped me. My principle is to come up with something. I don’t just go and sit there,” she said.
Lt. Col. Galley said she had balanced her career with family life and is married to Colonel Dominic Buah, with whom she has four sons.
“It didn’t disturb my work,” she said. “If you are supposed to produce something by 10 o’clock, it should be there.”
She said her husband’s understanding of military life had been critical to managing her responsibilities.
“He understands the system. He knows I must be there,” she said.
Lt. Col. Galley rejected suggestions of tokenism, saying female officers who rose to leadership positions did so on merit.
“Women who get to the top merit it. They are qualified. They are experienced. Command has confidence in them,” she said.
Lt. Col. Galley said gender mainstreaming had allowed women to demonstrate their capabilities.
“When women were allowed to come out of their shells, they start doing wonders,” she said.
Lt. Col. Galley advised young female officers to remain focused and committed to their oath of service.
“It was not a joke when you were taking that oath… That is why me, if you say, go here, I’m going,” she said.
On her priorities as Commander of the Military Police, Lt. Col. Galley said her focus would be on discipline within the Armed Forces.
“My immediate priority will be tailored towards my role. And that is enforcing discipline in the Ghana Armed Forces,” she said.
Lt. Col. Galley said all military deployments included briefings on human rights and rules of engagement, adding that violations were treated as individual misconduct.
“Anyone who goes contrary to that is dealt with,” she said.
Lt. Col. Galley said enforcing discipline could be unpopular but was necessary.
“If you are meticulously enforcing the law, you won’t have friends. Some people will call you wicked. But once you know you’ve done the right thing, you shouldn’t be bothered,” she said.
Lt. Col. Galley said relations with other security agencies remained cordial and cooperative.
“We are all doing the same thing – ensuring the security of the state,” she said.
Reflecting on her appointment, Lt. Col. Galley said it reinforced the importance of integrity.
“This appointment has made me realise that whatever you do, you are being watched. It’s good to do the right thing, even when nobody is watching,” she said.
Lt. Col. Galley encouraged young Ghanaians to pursue their ambitions but remain resilient.
“Pursue your dream… But if you don’t get the opportunity, it doesn’t mean you are not good,” she said. -GNA
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The state has closed its case in the Republic v Akonta Mining and two others.
The case was heard earlier today at the Accra Criminal Court, where state prosecutors and CID investigators from the Ghana Police Service closed the Republic’s case.
In all, the prosecution called three witnesses to prove its case, two former employees of Akonta Mining Company Limited and a detective from the Ghana Police Service.
According to an update on the case, the two former employees testified to Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako’s deep involvement in Akonta Mining Company’s alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The police detective tendered in evidence drone footage and other audio-visual materials and official communications in support of the testimonies of the two former Akonta Mining employees.
The accused persons, through cross-examination of the witnesses, sought to dissociate themselves from every mining activity in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused persons asked the court to allow him to call the first prosecution witness back into the witness box for further cross-examination.
The court gave him up to Friday, October 30, to file a formal motion to recall the witnesses.
The case has been adjourned to November 4 for the motion to be heard.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
