Lydia Yaako Donkor


Lydia Yaako Donkor is a Ghanaian lawyer and police officer. She serves as a Commissioner of Police and the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service. Donkor is also Chair of the Police Ladies Football Club and Chairperson of the Safety and Security Committee of the Ghana Football Association.

Early life and education

Donkor was born on 28 October 1974. She attended Wesley Girls' High School, Cape Coast. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Political Science from the University of Ghana, followed by professional legal training at the Ghana School of Law. She later pursued an LL.M. in International and Human Rights Law from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.

Career

Donkor began her legal career as an associate at Acquah‑Sampson & Associates, engaging in litigation and legal drafting. She later worked with the Legal Aid Board in Takoradi, where she handled cases related to gender and child rights.
She enlisted in the Ghana Police Service in 2003 as a legal officer and rose through the ranks to become the most senior lawyer within the service. Her previous roles include:
  • Head of Legal and Prosecutions in various regional commands
  • Divisional and District Commander at Tesano‑Accra
  • Member of the United Nations Police in Liberia, focusing on evaluation and discipline
  • Director-General of the Police Professional Standards Bureau
In March 2025, she was appointed Director-General of the CID by Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno. In July 2025, she partnered with QNET to fight internet fraud and educate the public on scams and safety as CID Director-General.
In July 2025, Donkor was promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police, reflecting her progression through the senior leadership of the Ghana Police Service. The promotion placed her among the highest-ranking officers in the Service and recognised her professional experience and contributions to policing in Ghana.
In August 2025, Donkor was elected to the newly established INTERPOL Africa Regional Committee, becoming the first Ghanaian woman to serve on the body. Her election marked a significant milestone for Ghana’s participation in international policing and highlighted ongoing efforts to increase gender representation in law-enforcement leadership across the continent.

Sports administration

Donkor has played a significant role in football administration in Ghana:

Advocacy and affiliations

Donkor is a strong advocate for gender equity and human rights. She holds memberships in:

Personal life

Lydia Donkor is the daughter of Jane Christie Donkor, the first female Commissioner of Police in Ghana, appointed in 2000. She is known to be a fan of Hearts of Oak and Arsenal F.C..