Ghana’s first-ever woman police recruit passes on

Ghana’s first-ever woman to be recruited to the police force has passed away at 91 years old.

Rosamond Asiamah fought for the rights of her fellow policewomen.

Her son, Andrew Nkansah told the BBC that her greatest achievement in terms of the police force was encouraging other women to join the force.

She insisted that women officers who got pregnant should be allowed back into the force after their maternity leave.

Ghana’s first-ever woman to be recruited to the police force has passed away at 91 years old.

Rosamond Asiamah fought for the rights of her fellow policewomen. Last year we celebrated her 90th birthday with her. See how she became an important part of Ghana’s history. 👮🏿‍♀🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/S0Kx9utj7v

— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) February 22, 2021

Her former colleagues also stood by her. One of them, Margaret Dakwa, said 12 of them were recruited on the same day and Madam Asiamah was made their leader.

“Our main job was mattered concerning women and children. We couldn’t marry and, therefore couldn’t have children.

“But we were women so we said we couldn’t be because we were serving the country in the same way as the men.

“They marry, they live with their wives and children, so we asked why can’t we marry?” she quizzed.

Rosamond Asiamah was given the title PW1 (Police Woman One).

The Police Commissioner, Beatrice Zakpaa Vib-Sanziri feels she paved the way for women in the force.

She said the decision by her predecessor to petition the then governor “requesting that policewomen should be allowed to marry, get pregnant and have children as and when they wanted was a very important one for all those who came after them.”

“I believe if that had not happened, we would have fewer women in the police service than we have now.”