ACP Dr Benjamin Kwasi Agordzo Retired
In a candid and blistering critique, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Benjamin Kwasi Agordzo has delivered a scathing assessment of Ghana’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare. Speaking exclusively on Onua FM to broadcaster Nana Yaa Brefo, Agordzo accused Dampare of fostering a culture of favouritism and selective promotions that have alienated seasoned officers and left a string of frustrated personnel in its wake.
Dr Agordzo, known for his outspoken views, painted a stark picture of the internal dynamics under Dampare’s leadership, claiming that the IGP’s management style has created an “inner circle” that benefits from promotion and career advancement. Agordzo alleged that these promotions often overlook merit and experience, favouring Dampare’s allies. “The IGP has turned the police service upside down. People pretend not to see it, but his actions have turned what should be a merit-based institution into a personal domain,” Agordzo remarked. The former ACP hinted at a mounting divide within the service, pointing to longstanding officers who have reportedly been overlooked for promotion while their juniors leapfrog them in rank. Agordzo expressed frustration on behalf of colleagues who had been Superintendents during his tenure as ACP in 2017 but remain in the same rank today. He described a scenario where multiple capable officers have stagnated in their positions, despite many years of service.
Agordzo’s concerns extended to Dampare’s apparent discord with the Deputy IGP, a situation he suggested is symptomatic of the wider culture of favouritism. In his view, Dampare’s leadership has led to an unspoken rift, creating silos within the ranks. He stressed that this climate of selective advancement is having a chilling effect on officer morale, further eroding trust and unity within the force.
Several current senior officers, speaking under strict anonymity to The Hawk, confirmed Agordzo’s claims, sharing similar accounts of promotion biases. One senior officer remarked, “Promotions are no longer based solely on merit; loyalty to the IGP seems to be a decisive factor.” According to these sources, officers who once outranked certain promoted individuals have been sidelined, with some alleging that “endorsement from higher-ups” has now become more critical to advancement than service records. This pattern of promotions has, they claim, led to an atmosphere of frustration, where loyalty supersedes capability. “If the IGP doesn’t recommend you, your promotion won’t move forward,” explained a long-serving officer, suggesting that such endorsements hold more sway than professional achievements.
Dr Agordzo acknowledged recent remarks by COP (retired) Dr George Alex Mensah, who also recently voiced concerns about biases under Dampare’s leadership. While he distanced himself from any overtly political aspects of Mensah’s statements, Agordzo affirmed that Mensah’s comments on the IGP’s preferential promotions were “very accurate.”
Agordzo and the anonymous officers are urging an overhaul of the promotion process within the Ghana Police Service. They are calling for a transparent system, one based on qualification and experience rather than on alliances within the force. “For the integrity of the Ghana Police Service, promotions need to be transparent and fair,” a senior officer concluded. Despite multiple attempts to reach the IGP’s office for comment, there has been no response.
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