The Institute of Security, Disaster and Emergency Studies has proffered an orientation programme for the very first batch of newly admitted students to offer Criminology and its related courses.

The students who numbered not more than a dozen were drawn from diverse fields including the Ghana Police Service.

Addressing students at the orientation, Friday, January 10, 2020 President of the school, Ishmael Norman highlighted the need for the bold leap in establishing Criminology studies in the country.

“Today is a very important day for Ghana and for our school. It is the first time ever in the history of Ghana that a group of students are beginning the study of criminology as an academic discipline at both the Masters and Bachelor’s degree level…it gives us the opportunity to let Ghanaians know that something important is happening in relation to trying to find solutions to study the issues of crime in this country, find better ways to analyse issues of crime to come out with solutions to assist the police and other security agencies…,” Mr Norman said in an interaction with the media.

He encouraged students to plan appropriately and face the challenges associated with the course and also psyche themselves for the greater tasks that come with being a Criminologist.

In an attempt to find probable reasons for the rather low number of first batch students, he indicated that financial challenges caused some prospective students to take a detour from undertaking the course.

“…So far we have a dozen students. We were expecting 20 but because of financial constraints, they were not able to meet their financial obligations to the school. As you know any school will depend on school fees to keep the system running…”

On his part, Security analyst Adam Bonaa added that the purpose of establishing the course would help curb the issues that have bridled the security service.



“…you realize that as a country we kind of have a mismatch when it comes to recruitment and placement. So, you have a situation where a lot of delusional young men and women entering into the security services…so as far as I’m concerned, this would probably streamline some of these things in the industry…”

Prior to the introduction of the course, however, prospective students of Criminology and its related courses would have had to resort to furthering their studies abroad.

In the future, Mr Ishmael Norman and his team hope to find government support and partnerships to help prospective students. The school is located at Kokrobite, Sandpiper Beach Hotel in Accra.