A Ghanaian, Phyllis Ama Tebuah Osei, Wins UN Female Police Officer 2018 Award

The UN Female Police Officer of the Year 2018 award has been conferred on Ms. Phyllis Ama Tebuah Osei in recognition for her services when she was deployed on peacekeeping duties to United Nations Somalia, UNSOM. 

Reports have it that during her time there, she left a lasting impression on the community and host state police in Jubaland.

Ms. Phyllis Ama Tebuah Osei said it was a great honour to work for UNSOM, where she assisted in strengthening activities on gender and child related issues. During her time, she also helped the local police in Jubaland to tackle issues of Justice and Human Rights.

A statement released by the UN Peacekeeping reads:

“Ms. Osei, a Superintendent of Police from the Ghana Police Service, was selected for the Award as her policing work, directly and positively impacted the community and the host state police.

“Her contributions enhancing the protection of women and girls, as well as her initiatives to promote women rights in the host state police, embody the spirit of the Award and embrace the values of international policing.”

The award ceremony where she was conferred with the honour took place on Monday, November 19, it was co-hosted by the UN Police Division of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN.

It is on record that Officer Osei initiated an adult literacy training for 49 female police officers in Jubaland. The training’s overall goal is to improve their literacy and increase their chances for future promotions.

She also formed a Female Peacekeeper Network (FPN) within UNSOM and AMISOM to provide support to female peacekeepers.

In praising Officer Osei, the Commissioner Luis Carrilho, said the awardee possess exemplary conduct, he further said:

“Ms. Osei was deployed to Somalia earlier this year in February 2018.

“By April, she had already identified and trained two gender focal points in AMISOM who went onto mentor and advise police officers in the host state police, thereby contributing to the building of a much-needed capacity.

“Soon after, Ms. Osei established four gender desks in the host state police, facilitated a training on sexual and gender-based violence, and initiated a proposal that called for the establishment of a police post near the community thus ensuring access for SGBV survivors.”

Congratulations to Officer Phyllis Ama Tebuah Osei, we wish her all the best.

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