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The Ghana Academy of Forensic Sciences (GAFS) has been launched in Accra to advance the country’s forensic science for justice, security and national development.
The Academy, which began in 2012, seeks to promote excellence, create awareness and strengthen forensic science in the country.
The launch also signified renewed commitment to strengthen the country’s justice system through the application of science, technology and innovation, while recognising the relevance of traditional investigative practices.
The inaugural congress, held at the University of Ghana, WACCBIP Conference Hall, last Saturday, was on the theme: “Modernising crime investigations in Ghana: Bridging traditional methods with forensic innovations through capacity building.”
The National Security Advisor to the President, Prosper Bani, who delivered the keynote address, commended law enforcement agencies for their dedication to maintaining law and order despite the challenges they faced.
He said the administration of justice and the preservation of public safety had long relied on the diligence, courage and commitment of the country’s security agencies.
Mr Bani said the changing nature of crime had made it necessary for the country to strengthen its investigative systems, explaining that forensic science offered the tools needed to meet such challenges such as DNA analysis, digital forensics, ballistics, forensic toxicology, trace evidence and biometric identification as some of the modern techniques transforming law enforcement globally.
“These tools enhance not only the speed and efficiency of investigations, but also their credibility, ensuring that justice is not debated but founded upon indisputable evidence,” he said.
The National Security Advisor further emphasised the need to invest in forensic science as a crucial step towards reforming the justice system.
He said building capacity in forensic science would not only strengthen investigations but also boost public confidence in the judicial process.
The Director of Forensic Science Laboratory at Ghana Police Service, Chief Superintendent Mercy Agyepong, emphasised the importance of sustainability in forensic development, saying reforms must be deliberate, strategic and achievable.
She said sustainability remained a major challenge, but efforts were being made to ensure that growth in forensic science was long-term and effective.
The Superintendent also called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, academia, hospitals and regulatory agencies to build a more robust forensic framework for the country.
She said there was a need for continuous public education on the role of forensics in justice delivery, particularly among schoolchildren, to enhance public understanding and encourage citizens to allow professionals to handle evidence during crime investigations.
The President of GAFS, Dr Pet-Paul Wepeba, underscored the urgent need to modernise crime investigations, saying the country continues to face evolving threats such as cybercrime, violent crime, insurgency and transnational organised criminal networks, which could not be addressed by conventional policing alone.
He said despite some achievements such as refurbishment of the Police Forensic Science Laboratory in 2011, and the introduction of forensic science programmes in institutions such as the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Cape Coast and the University for Development Studies, the system remained under-resourced, with only one operational forensic science laboratory serving over 551 police stations across the 16 regions, which had created bottlenecks that delayed justice delivery.
