The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stressed that the true measure of effective law enforcement lies in preventing crime before it occurs, rather than reacting after damage has been done.
According to him, societies must invest in values, discipline, and cultural responsibility as the first line of defence against crime.
“The greatest victory of law enforcement is prevention, and prevention begins long before police sirens sound,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said,
He made the remarks while delivering a keynote address during his visit to the Ghana Police Service Headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
According to the Asantehene, crime prevention starts in homes, schools, and communities where discipline is instilled, elders are respected, and wrongdoing is discouraged socially before it becomes a legal matter.
“It begins in homes where discipline is taught, in communities where elders are respected, and in cultures where wrongdoing is socially discouraged before it becomes legally punishable,” he said.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II argued that law enforcement functions best in societies where citizens already share common values and believe that others are worth protecting. In such environments, police officers are viewed as partners rather than adversaries.
He warned that when cultural values collapse, the burden placed on law enforcement becomes overwhelming.
“When culture is strong, crime struggles to breathe. When culture collapses, law enforcement is forced to compensate,” the Asantehene noted.
Tracing the roots of social order, he explained that long before modern policing, communities relied on culture as the first constitution, shaping behaviour through restraint, responsibility, and collective accountability.
“Before courts were built, disputes were settled. Before statutes were written, wrong was already understood. Custom was the first law,” he said.
Otumfuo also cautioned against the misuse of tradition to shield criminal behaviour, insisting that true culture aligns with justice and does not compete with it.
“Custom was never designed to protect criminals; it was designed to prevent crime,” he stressed.
The Asantehene praised the Ghana Police Service for its professionalism and commitment over the years, noting that Ghana’s reputation as an oasis of peace in a turbulent region is a source of national pride that must be protected.
He concluded by calling for stronger collaboration between traditional authorities and law enforcement, saying sustainable peace can only be achieved when cultural values and modern policing work hand in hand to safeguard society.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
