Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, has backed calls for the scrapping of height as one of the requirements for enlistment into the security services.
According to her, there are several ways people who do not meet that requirement can be of use to the Police Service and other security services.
Speaking in an interview DCOP Addo-Danquah said, “On my personal reason I think it should be cancelled…I think in this era it is not only people who are tall who can be good police officers. Because there are areas where you don’t necessarily need height.”
She also asserted that height as a requirement has become archaic adding that people who do not meet that requirement can be trained to gather information and play other vital roles for the service.
“Now it is more technology. If you decide you will only go for the height you are likely to miss very good materials who because of height wouldn’t get the opportunity to enter.”
However, Vice Chairman for the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, Collins Owusu Amankwaah, last month questioned the relevance of height as a requirement for enlistment into the security services in the country.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Amankwaah demanded a review of such a requirement.
“I think we must have a second look at our requirements into the security agencies in this country…in this day and age intelligence gathering is more about brain work than physical strength. When it comes to height as a requirement, I have a strong reservation in that it is inconsistent and repugnant with the general laws of this country.
