IGP Yohuno Praises Black Maria Queens Following Success in Tamale | Discuss Ghana

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, described the female officers of the Black Maria Unit as the "great women of our time" during a formal welcome ceremony at the Police Headquarters in Accra.

The special event was held to honor the IGP’s Special Operations Team, popularly known as the "Black Maria" unit, following their return from a high-impact mission in the Tamale metropolis.

---

Who are the "Black Maria Queens"?

The "Black Maria Queens" are the female tactical officers within the Special Operations Team. While the broader unit is famous for its mobile detention and rapid-response capabilities, IGP Yohuno specifically highlighted the courage of the female personnel who operate in high-risk zones:

Tactical Excellence: These officers are part of an elite group that underwent intensive training at the High-Risk Operations Training Centre in Akyeremanteng.

Tamale Mission: In the Northern Region, the team was credited with arresting over 1,000 suspects and helping to dismantle drug peddling hotspots that had long plagued the metropolis.

Public Demand: Their performance was so effective that when news of their withdrawal broke on March 6, hundreds of youth in Tamale staged a protest, blocking roads to prevent the team from leaving.

---

IGP’s Remarks: "Great Women of Our Time"

During the welcome ceremony, IGP Yohuno addressed the "Queens" directly, praising their resilience in a male-dominated field:

"You have shown that what men can do, women can do even better in the field of security. You are the great women of our time, and the people of Tamale have testified to your bravery."

The IGP also defended the decision to rotate the team out of Tamale, explaining that "Special Operations" are by definition temporary and mobile, intended to restore order before handing over to local commands.

---

Context: The "Black Maria" in 2026

The term "Black Maria" has seen a resurgence in the Ghana Police Service under the National Reset agenda:

History: The name is a nod to a 19th-century figure, Maria Lee, who assisted police in Boston. In Ghana, it refers to the specialized trucks used for the "speedy evacuation of troublemakers".

Election Security: The unit played a pivotal role in the Akwatia by-election in late 2025 and is currently being prepared for nationwide deployment ahead of the December 2026 General Elections.

Successor Force: To maintain the gains made by the "Black Maria Queens" in the North, a new local task force has been formed from personnel across 18 districts to continue intelligence-led patrols.