The National President of the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO), ACP Mrs. Florence Arthur, has emphasized the need for equality, inclusiveness, and respect for leadership regardless of rank or gender during a ceremony held in Bolgatanga on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
The event, which marked the handing over of a new Toyota van from the national headquarters to the Upper East Regional branch of NARPO, brought together key figures within the association and regional police leadership. It also served as an occasion for the president to reflect on her leadership journey and the broader direction of the association.
Mrs. Arthur, who was elected during the National Conference held on November 29, 2024, in Accra, is the seventh overall president of the association and the fourth to be elected under the NARPO structure. Her election also coincided with the association’s 50th anniversary, making her the first woman to hold the highest office in the organization’s history.
Addressing the gathering, she acknowledged the overwhelming support received from delegates, including those from Bolgatanga, and reaffirmed her commitment to serving with integrity and dedication. However, she noted that her tenure so far has not been without challenges, citing resistance rooted in gender biases and perceptions about her rank prior to retirement.
“Let me not pretend that the journey has been without difficulty. As the first female president of NARPO, I faced opposition not because of my competence, vision, or dedication, but simply because I am a woman and did not retire at a very high rank.”
Despite retiring with the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, one of the top three ranks in the Ghana Police Service, Mrs. Arthur highlighted instances where her leadership has been undermined both internally and externally. “Stop calling me a junior rank. My role was ACP before I retired. It is 3rd in the hierarchy of the Ghana Police Service.”
She called on members of the association and the broader policing community to move beyond outdated notions that link leadership legitimacy solely to one’s previous rank or gender. “To those who hold on to outdated views that women or those who did not reach certain ranks are unfit to lead, I say respectfully, the world has moved on, and so must we.”
She further stated that the presidency of NARPO comes with a constitutionally recognized mandate and responsibilities, including representing the association on key national platforms such as the Police Council, questioning ongoing efforts to sideline her.
“For delegates to vote and to entrust a woman with the presidency is a milestone. Since the 4th Republic Constitution, it has been only the presidents of NARPO or a representative member, nominated by the association’s president, who represents the association on the police council. So what has changed now? Is it rank? Or gender?” she questioned.
“Why should I, as president of a noble and structured body like NARPO, feel marginalized, both from within and outside the association? Other associations would be proud to celebrate this achievement. The election of the first female president in our 50th year of history is a true jubilee milestone,” she said.
ACP Mrs. Arthur further reaffirmed her intention to complete her full four-year term with a focus on dignity, fairness, and progress, pledging to lead the association toward even greater achievements. She also called for fair treatment, recognition, and unity within the association.
“I have a four-year mandate and I intend to stand firm and fulfill it with dignity, integrity, and fairness. I therefore demand equal rights, equal recognition, and justice to steer this association to even greater heights. Let us judge each other, not by the ranks we once wore, but by our contributions to this association’s future,” she added.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Ghana
