The Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has credited the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, with playing a key role in strengthening policing efforts, particularly in the Ashanti Region.

He made the remarks on Tuesday, January 6, when the Asantehene paid a courtesy call on him at the Police Headquarters in Accra.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was received with a guard of honour mounted by officers of the Ghana Police Service at the forecourt of the headquarters. Speaking during the visit, IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno said the role of traditional rulers remains central to maintaining peace and order, describing chiefs as critical partners to the police.

“It is worth noting that chiefs, as custodians of land, culture and customs, remain indispensable partners in maintaining law and order in this regard, Your Majesty,” he said.

The IGP pointed to the Asantehene’s interventions in long-standing land and chieftaincy disputes, saying they had helped reduce tensions and incidents of violence, while easing the burden on security agencies.

“You have personally intervened in numerous land and chieftaincy disputes in the Ashanti Region, restoring sanity, reducing violence and making policing more effective,” he noted.

According to him, such actions reflect the place of chieftaincy within Ghana’s constitutional structure. “This action reaffirms the constitutional recognition of chieftaincy under the 1992 Constitution, which recognises traditional authority as an integral part of Ghana’s governance system,” the IGP said.

Touching on illegal mining, Christian Tetteh Yohuno said the Asantehene’s directives to chiefs to act decisively against the practice in their areas continue to shape local responses to the problem.

“In the context of illegal mining, your directive urging chiefs to take firm action against it in their jurisdictions demonstrates the continuous relevance of traditional leadership in addressing modern challenges,” he added.