James Oppong-Boanuh

James Oppong-Boanuh (born 1958) is a Ghanaian lawyer and police officer. He was appointed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Ghana Police Service by President Nana Akufo-Addo in October 2019 and went on retirement as IGP in August 2021. Prior to being appointed IGP, Oppong-Boanuh served in different command and staff positions including Aide-de-camp to the IGP, Chief Staff Officer to the IGP; Director-General of Welfare, Director-General of Human Resources; Regional Commander, Director-General of Legal and Prosecutions, Director-General of Administration and Deputy IGP.

Early life and education James Oppong-Boanuh was born at Aboabo No.1 in the Dormaa District in the previous Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana in 1958. He attended Dormaa Secondary School, Dormaa Ahenkro for both his GCE Ordinary and Advanced level education from 1977 to 1979. His extension of service was considered by the general public and the media as a ploy to force him unto the Police council as the next IGP. As the IGP, he is also a member of the 10-member Ghana Police Service Council and head of the Police Management Board. Oppong-Boanuh retired from the IGP position in August 2021 after handing over to George Akuffo Dampare.

International assignments Oppong-Boanuh has served on several international missions over the years whilst in the Ghana Police Service. In 1994, he worked as a member of the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) and from 2001 to 2002 with United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). He was also appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), serving from 2004 to 2005. He later went on to serve as the acting Police Commissioner and head of the Police unit of AMIS. In that role, Oppong-Boanuh led an advance team to establish the police unit of the mission from scratch.

On 19 August 2010, he took up duties as Police Commissioner to the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) succeeding South African Major-General Michael Fryer who had retired. Whilst working as police commissioner at UNAMID, he is credited with facilitating the appointment of female officers into command positions to ensure gender equality give women an equal opportunity to serve.

Personal life Oppong-Boanuh is married and has three adult children.