Over 900 young people graduate as Community Protection Assistants

A total of 945 young men and women from the Volta, Oti, and Eastern Regions have graduated as Community Protection Assistants (CPAs) under the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) to support the Ghana Police Service in enhancing law and order.

The ceremony, held at the Volta Regional Police Training School in Ho, saw 322 recruits from Volta, 147 from Oti, and 477 from Eastern Region successfully complete three weeks of intensive training.

Reviewing Officer for the parade, Mr. James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, commended YEA for the initiative and the Ghana Police Service for its training support. He described the graduation as “a product of strategic collaboration for the betterment of our communities and the empowerment of our youth under the visionary leadership of H.E. John Dramani Mahama.”

Mr. Gunu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth empowerment, citing plans to scale up job creation in security, climate-smart agriculture, ICT, and community development. “You are living testimony of what happens when policy meets purpose,” he told the graduates.

He urged the CPAs to serve with humility, integrity, and professionalism. “Let your presence inspire confidence in the public. Uphold the values of discipline, respect, and community engagement,” the Minister said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Mr Wisdom Akorli, Volta Regional Police Commander lauded the recruits’ dedication, noting they had been trained in ethics, community policing, client management, criminal law, traffic management, intelligence gathering, women’s rights, and physical drills.

He stressed that CPAs play a vital role in building trust between the police and communities, aiding in crime prevention, and assisting with educational talks, neighbourhood watch schemes, and public safety exercises.

Mr. Daniel Hamenu, Volta Regional Director of YEA, praised the graduates for their resilience, discipline, and commitment throughout the training period. “My hearty congratulations to all of you and to the families, parents, and guardians who supported you in this journey to serve the nation,” he said.

He expressed deep appreciation to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr. William Yankey Acolatse, Commanding Officer of the Volta Regional Police Training School, for his hospitality and professionalism. “Let me express my singular gratitude to the commanding officer for his cordial working relationship and dedication to this course,” Mr. Hamenu stated.

The CPA model, one of YEA’s long-standing initiatives, is designed to engage youth in supporting the police to protect lives, maintain public order, and improve community safety. The agency targets the recruitment of 12,000 CPAs annually.

“This is the first batch of the 12,000 passing out today across six training schools in the country. The second batch will report to training in the coming days,” Mr. Hamenu said.

He explained that CPAs serve a two-year contract with YEA, after which those who meet the Ghana Police Service’s requirements may be absorbed into the mainstream service. “I expect you to demonstrate commitment, sacrifice, honesty, and dedication so that a good recommendation can be given about you,” he advised.

Mr. Hamenu also announced YEA modules in the education sector, including Youth in Arabic Education, Community Education Teaching Assistants, and Kitchen Support Assistants. He urged the CPAs to embrace continuous learning opportunities in their roles.

“No amount of insubordination will be tolerated. Any CPA found engaging in acts that bring the agency or service into disrepute will be decisively dealt with,” he cautioned.

The graduates will be deployed to communities across their respective regions to provide a critical link between the public and the police, reinforcing national efforts to protect lives and property.

Source: GNA

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