The Ghana Police Service has celebrated Commissioner of Police Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), following her election to serve a four-year term on the newly formed INTERPOL Africa Committee.

According to a Facebook post shared by the Ghana Police Services, COP Donkor becomes the first Ghanaian to be elected to a regional committee of INTERPOL, the world’s largest police organisation.

She also stands out as the only female member of the Africa Committee, a milestone hailed as a major achievement for gender inclusion in policing across the continent.

The Police Service described her election as a recognition of her distinguished career and leadership, as well as Ghana’s growing influence in international policing.

“Her nomination is both a testament to Ghana’s leadership in global policing and a reflection of her personal commitment to justice, accountability, and security,” the statement noted.

The INTERPOL Africa Committee, which was inaugurated this year, is tasked with enhancing law enforcement cooperation across the continent. Its responsibilities include identifying strategic priorities in the fight against crime, recommending action to the African Regional Conference, and advising on issues of criminality and police cooperation within the region.

Alongside Ghana, other countries represented on the committee include Egypt, Kenya and South Africa (four-year terms), while Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Sudan will serve for two years.

The Ghana Police Service lauded COP Donkor as a trailblazer for women in policing, whose role on the committee will allow Africa to benefit from her experience and expertise over the next four years.