The IGP is appointed by the president of Ghana acting in consultation with the Council of State.
[3] The first Ghanaian Police Commissioner, E. R. T. Madjitey was appointed to head the service on October 9, 1958.
A. Yakubu as the head of the Police service, the Progress Party government of Kofi Abrefa Busia appointed R. D. Ampaw, a lawyer civil servant as his successor.
[6] On 22 July 2019, Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana asked David Asante-Apeatu to proceed on leave as the IGP.
His deputy, James Oppong-Boanuh was asked to act as IGP until a substantive appointment was made.