Ghana’s first policewoman is dead

Accra, Feb. 23, GNA – Madam Rosamond Asiamah Nkansah, the first woman to be enlisted into Ghana Police Service, then the Gold Coast Police Force, has died at age 91.

Police Superintendent Sheila Kessie Abayie Buckman, Director of Public Affairs, who confirmed the demise of the Matriarch, said the Police administration would visit her family on Wednesday.

Madam Nkansah attended Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast. She was awarded a Teacher’s Certificate ‘A’ and other certificates.

Policewoman One (PW/1) Rosamond Asiama Nkansah was enlisted into the Gold Coast Police Force on 1 September 1952 at the age of 22.

At that time, Policewomen were not allowed to marry or get pregnant.

After serving for five years and nine months, PW/1 Rosamond Asiamah decided to marry so she resigned, but would stand up for her principles among which were equality and equity. She thought that women in the Police service were not being fairly treated as their male counterparts were allowed to marry and bear children.

Before her resignation on May 16, 1958, PW/1 Rosamond Asiama petitioned the Police Administration and the discrimination clause was removed; thus allowing women in the service to marry and bear children and causing those who had resigned to start families to be reinstated.

After resignation, she taught at St. John’s Grammar School from 1961 to 1964 as a professional teacher.

She joined Ghana Broadcasting Corporation in 1965, heading the School Broadcasting Programmes for a year.

She retired from active service in 1999 to focus on writing books. She also translated words in her book (Octagon) into foreign and local languages.

Madam Rosamond Asiamah Nkansa died on Monday February 22, 2021.
GNA