NEWS

DCOP Lydia Donkor Named New CID Director-General

DCOP Lydia Donkor Takes Over as Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department

The appointment of Lydia Yaako Donkor, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), as the next Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is a major milestone within the Ghana Police Service. Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno recently announced a reorganization of senior personnel within the force, which includes her appointment. The modifications, which take effect immediately, are intended to fortify different directorates and regional commands.

DCOP Donkor has established a distinguished career in human rights activism, law enforcement, and the legal profession. She is renowned for her dedication to justice and her broad knowledge of legal issues. She attended Wesley Girls Senior High School before graduating from the University of Ghana, Legon, with a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Political Science, giving her a solid intellectual education that forms the basis of her legal background. She went on to earn a Barrister-at-Law degree from the Ghana School of Law, and then she graduated from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom with a Master of Laws (LLM) in International and Human Rights Law.

She started her career as an Associate at Acquah-Sampson & Associates, where she focused on legal drafting and litigation. She also worked with the Takoradi Legal Aid Board as a pro bono advocate, specializing on children’s rights and gender issues. DCOP Donkor quickly advanced through the ranks after entering the law enforcement field, holding important roles including District Commander of Tesano-Accra, Divisional Commander of Tesano, and Head of Legal & Prosecutions in several locations.

She has worked abroad as a United Nations Police Officer (UNPOL) in Liberia, where she was instrumental in conducting internal assessments and handling disciplinary and conduct matters. She is currently the most senior attorney in the Ghana Police Service, having practiced law for almost 25 years.

DCOP Donkor’s pursuit of professional growth has seen her participate in numerous international training programs and conferences. She has attended the United Nations Senior Mission Leaders’ Course in Korea, as well as International Association of Women Police Officers’ Conferences in Canada, South Africa, and the United States. Her expertise spans counter-terrorism, anti-human trafficking, money laundering, and election security.

In addition to her work in law enforcement, she is a fervent supporter of gender equality and human rights. She participates actively in the International Association of Women Police Officers, the Police Ladies Association, and the Ghana Bar Association. She also acts as the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Safety and Security Officer, supervising security measures at football games throughout the continent, and chairs the Ghana Football Association’s Safety & Security Committee.

DCOP Donkor has been instrumental in advancing women’s football in Ghana as the CEO of the Police Ladies Football Club. Her enthusiasm for women’s empowerment and community involvement is evident in the club’s rise to prominence as one of the top teams in the Ghana Women’s Premier League under her direction.

Prior to being appointed Director-General of the CID, DCOP Donkor was Director-General of the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB), where she worked to enhance the Ghana Police Service’s integrity and professionalism. She is expected to improve efficiency, accountability, and crime-fighting tactics in her new position as Director-General of the CID, Ghana’s most important investigative agency.

Her nomination solidifies her reputation as a law enforcement trailblazer and represents a major turning point in her career. DCOP Donkor is well-positioned to take the CID to greater heights and ensure a safer and more secure Ghana thanks to her extensive experience, legal knowledge, and dedication to justice.

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