President of the Ghana Academy of Forensics Services (GAFS), Pet-Paul Wepeba, has renewed calls for the establishment of a national forensic policy, arguing that it is essential for advancing the country's investigative and disaster response capabilities.
Wepeba said such a policy would pave the way for the creation of a national DNA database to aid in identifying missing persons and solving criminal cases. "With a national forensic policy, we could develop a national DNA database for missing persons and criminal investigations," he said on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday, 8 August, "But it must be backed by legislation to protect personal data and prevent misuse of biological material.
You can't just start a process like that without a clear policy.
DNA can tell every story about you." Wepeba stressed that with the right infrastructure and systems, Ghana could become a forensic hub for neighbouring countries while enhancing its own capabilities. "Forensic science is vital for development-it brings together health, law enforcement, and human rights," he said.
