PHOTO: Dr. George Akuffo Dampare
The removal of Inspector General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare has sparked diverse reactions from key figures within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), with opinions sharply divided on his leadership and the impact of his dismissal on the Ghana Police Service.
AYIKOI OTOO: ‘A POPULAR EXIT SHOWS HE FAILED’
Leading the charge in defending the government’s decision, Ayikoi Otoo, a prominent NPP member, has argued that the widespread celebration within the police force following Dampare’s dismissal was a clear sign of dissatisfaction with his tenure.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Otoo suggested that Dampare’s leadership may have won public admiration but had alienated those within the force.
“I don’t regret anything… But if the whole group, everybody is happy that you have been removed, do you think you served them well?” he questioned.
Dismissing claims that the former IGP had restored discipline and improved the police service’s public image, Otoo insisted that leadership is about prioritizing the welfare of subordinates.
“There was talk about him improving the image of the police, but those are optics. As to whether that improved service conditions and the welfare of officers is another matter altogether,” he stated.
According to Otoo, the appointment of a Deputy IGP was a clear signal that the government was preparing for a leadership change. “When the deputy IGP was appointed, it was a signal that somebody was being prepared to take over… People wanted him removed, and our government was expected to act,” he added.
RALPH AGYAPONG: ‘DAMPARE WAS VINDICTIVE’
In a more scathing assessment, former NPP parliamentary hopeful for Bantama, Ralph Agyapong, accused Dampare of using his position to settle personal scores within the police force.
Speaking in an interview on Kings Jersey TV in the U.S., Agyapong alleged that Dampare victimized officers who were affiliated with his perceived rivals, particularly retired Commissioner of Police (COP) Alex Mensah.
“For Dampare, people perceived him to be disrespectful, arrogant, and bitter towards certain individuals. At some point, this hatred extended beyond just personal grievances.”
Agyapong cited an instance where a senior officer was promoted to a regional command position but had his appointment revoked after merely engaging in a conversation with Alex Mensah at a funeral.
“Since then, whenever he sees this officer, he frowns at him. Some senior police officers also complained about unfair promotions. I recall that some even took him to court over the issue,” he revealed.
TWUM-BARIMA: ‘DAMPARE’S PROMOTIONS WERE UNJUSTIFIED’
Adding to the criticisms, private legal practitioner and former police investigator Alexander Twum-Barima argued that Dampare’s removal was justified due to questionable promotion practices and ineffective crime-fighting strategies.
Appearing on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen, Twum-Barima revealed that under Dampare’s leadership, officers were promoted at an unusually rapid pace, undermining the structured progression of ranks within the police force.
“It takes four years to move from one rank to another. From ASP to DSP should take four years. However, Dampare promoted personnel to ranks they would have spent 12 years to achieve in just three years,” he noted.
He also accused Dampare of sidelining senior officers by assigning them to offices at the police headquarters without providing them with desks or meaningful responsibilities.
On crime-fighting, Twum-Barima questioned the effectiveness of Dampare’s much-publicized anti-robbery task force, pointing to unresolved high-profile robberies.
“What happened to the robbers involved in the Adabraka robbery? What about the ones who attacked the 2M Express van on the Kumasi Highway? It’s not merely about setting up the anti-robbery team but their output,” he challenged.
He further revealed a controversial incident where a former IGP was allegedly detained at the Batsona Police Station for over three hours despite identifying himself.
OWUSU BEMPAH: ‘NEW IGP WILL FIGHT CRIME’
On the other hand, Ernest Owusu Bempah, Deputy Communications Director for the NPP, has praised President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new IGP, describing him as the right man to combat crime.
Speaking on Asempa FM, Owusu Bempah expressed optimism that Yohuno’s leadership would bring an end to rising security concerns.
“I don’t agree with John Dramani Mahama on his policies, but with this appointment, I agree with him. I suggested this to the former president, but he could not act on it. I am so happy that John Dramani Mahama has done it to help fight crime,” he stated.
Highlighting Yohuno’s track record, Owusu Bempah asserted that crime rates would decrease under his leadership.
“Christian Tetteh Yohuno is known to fight armed robbers, so I know armed robbery will be a thing of the past,” he declared confidently.
A Divided Verdict
As the debate rages on, Dampare’s removal has laid bare deep divisions within the police service and the political landscape. While critics paint him as an authoritarian leader who lost the trust of his subordinates, others credit him with bringing discipline to the force. With Christian Tetteh Yohuno now at the helm, the focus shifts to whether he can mend internal rifts and restore confidence in the Ghana Police Service.
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