Ghana’s ACP Abass Completes Advanced Police Organisation Management Training in Japan

ACP Abass in Tokyo for training

By Emmanuel Akyereko

(Managing Editor)

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Al-Meyao K. Abass of the Ghana Police Service has successfully completed a high-level 21-day Police Organisation Management training programme in Tokyo, Japan.

The programme, held in June 2025, brought together 13 senior police officers from selected African and Asian countries for intensive training on modern policing systems and leadership strategies.

ACP Abass, who serves as the Director of Operations and Commanding Officer of the Formed Police Unit (FPU) at the Police Headquarters in Accra, was selected to represent Ghana at the prestigious programme.

Organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA), the training aimed to enhance participants’ competencies in key areas of police administration, operations, and community engagement.

Comprehensive Training at Japan’s National Police Academy.

Participants, including ACP Abass, underwent rigorous academic sessions at the Japan National Police Academy and JICA located in Asahi-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo. The curriculum covered a broad spectrum of subjects, including police communication systems, traffic management, and Japan’s acclaimed community policing model known as Koban.

The training also included sessions focused on leadership, administrative strategy, and technical skills development. ACP Abass and his counterparts engaged in group presentations and practical exercises, culminating in a series of site visits to several high-level police installations across Tokyo.

One such visit was to the Niigata Prefectural Police, where the delegation interacted with Japanese officers and trainee cadets, gaining valuable insight into the practical aspects of professional policing in Japan.

ACP Abass was honoured with two separate certificates—one from the National Police Agency of Japan and another from JICA—for his exemplary participation and outstanding presentation during the training programme.

In an interview with JafriQ Radio Japan, ACP Abass expressed deep appreciation for the experience, particularly highlighting the effectiveness of Japan’s Koban community policing system.

“This has been a highly useful exercise. The Koban system bears similarities to Ghana’s community policing model, but the Japanese implementation is far more advanced. Their system operates 24/7 and is deeply trusted by the community. The police maintain continuous engagement with the public, using surveillance technology and public education campaigns on scams and fraud. There’s a lot we can learn from their approach,” he remarked.

He also commended the Japanese police culture of public service and courtesy.

“At one point, we lost our way and approached a police station for assistance. Upon verifying our identities with our JICA ID cards, the officer on duty personally escorted us to the nearest train station and guided us on how to reach our destination. That level of service is truly commendable and reflects good policing,” he added.

ACP Abass’s participation in this world-class training programme not only strengthens his individual capacity but also contributes to the broader objective of reforming and modernising policing standards in Ghana through international cooperation and knowledge exchange.