ACCRA, GHANA — In a historic achievement for both Ghana and women in global law enforcement, Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor has been elected to serve on the newly formed INTERPOL Africa Committee. Her election, which took place on Friday, August 29, 2025, makes her the first Ghanaian and the only female member of the committee.
COP Donkor, who also serves as the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, was elected for a four-year term. This milestone is a recognition of her distinguished career and leadership, and a significant step forward for gender inclusion in high-level security and law enforcement decision-making.
The newly formed INTERPOL Africa Regional Committee will serve as a critical platform for strengthening law enforcement cooperation across the continent. Its responsibilities include identifying strategic priorities in the fight against crime, recommending policy directions to the African Regional Conference, and advising on issues of criminality and police cooperation specific to Africa.
In a speech following her election, COP Donkor emphasized the need for “tailor-made measures” to curb crime, acknowledging that while challenges are similar globally, the economic and social dynamics differ across countries. She expressed her commitment to collaborating with lawmakers to strengthen regional cooperation by enhancing intelligence sharing and joint operations through INTERPOL’s security capabilities.
Her nomination and subsequent election underscore Ghana’s leadership within global policing networks. Other countries elected to the committee for four-year terms include Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa, while Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Sudan will serve two-year terms.
COP Lydia Donkor’s extensive background in legal practice and human rights advocacy, as well as her recent appointment as Director-General of the CID in March 2025, have positioned her as a key figure in modern policing. Her appointment to the INTERPOL Africa Committee solidifies her reputation and marks a groundbreaking achievement for women in security leadership roles across Africa.