IGP Dampare in a Betrayal Embrace with Deputy in Charge of Operations
• Dampare Sabotages Yohuno’s Rise
The Ghana Police Service is teetering on the brink as tensions between Inspector General of Police (IGP) COP Dr. George Akufo Dampare and his newly appointed Deputy, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, escalate into an all-out conflict. Insider sources reveal that IGP Dampare is far from pleased with Yohuno’s promotion, creating a rift that threatens to tear the service apart.
Reports of divisions and unrest have left officers walking on eggshells, with the upper ranks split right down the middle. The cause? Yohuno’s recent appointment as Deputy IGP—a position he has been blocked from twice in the past. Now that he has finally secured the role, the cold shoulder from Dampare is impossible to miss.
Yohuno’s aspirations for the Deputy IGP role have been dashed before. In October 2019, his promotion was pulled at the eleventh hour, despite receiving approval from President Akufo-Addo and the Council of State. It was a tough setback, but Yohuno remained loyal, supporting James Oppong-Boanuh and later Dampare when he became IGP. Fast forward to July 2024, and Yohuno was reappointed as the new Deputy IGP, overseeing Operations.
While the Presidency praised Yohuno’s extensive credentials, with President Akufo-Addo commending his three decades of service, the reality behind the scenes is far from welcoming. Instead of a warm reception, Yohuno encountered a wall of resistance from his boss, Dampare.
Dr. George Akuffo Dampare is contesting his appointment as Deputy IGP with additional responsibilities in court through his protégés and assigns, suggesting that this is unprecedented within the police service. However, our investigation at the Police Directorate reveals that several officers have previously held the position of Deputy IGP. Among them are Dr. K.K. Marfo (1997-2001), Mr. P.K. Acheampong (2001-2005), Mrs. Elizabeth Mills (2005-2009), Mr. Mohammed Alhassan (2010-2013), and Mr. James Oppong-Buanuh (2017-2019). Notably, Mr. P.K. Acheampong and Dr. K.K. Marfo were assigned specific duties in Operations, while Mrs. Elizabeth Mills served as Deputy IGP responsible for Administration.
Insiders tell us that Dampare has practically red-zoned Yohuno, rendering him incapable of effectively executing his duties. In an outrageous power play, Dampare has reportedly instructed all Regional Police Commanders to completely ignore Yohuno, leaving him isolated. One officer revealed, “We are not supposed to be seen anywhere near Yohuno’s office. If Dampare catches you on his CCTV heading to Yohuno’s corridor, you can kiss your career goodbye!”
The atmosphere is so charged that officers are afraid even to acknowledge Yohuno’s presence. This isn’t just hearsay—Dampare’s tactics have reportedly led to the suspension of two officers without explanation and the transfer of several others, merely because Yohuno expressed interest in working with them. These officers, who served under Yohuno during his time as Director of the Police Intelligence Department (PID), are now feeling the weight of Dampare’s wrath.
Let’s be clear—COP Christian Yohuno has always maintained neutrality. He’s been an exemplary officer under six different IGPs: Paul Tawiah Quaye, Mohammed Alhassan, Kudalor, Asante-Apeatu, Oppong-Boanuh, and now Dampare. His long-standing COP rank and proven leadership in key roles, like Director of Operations and Intelligence, underscore his professionalism.
Yohuno’s credibility has earned him respect among the ranks, but the ongoing power struggle with Dampare is tearing the service apart. Officers are now being forced to pick sides, leading to plummeting morale.
The pressing question remains: how much longer can this internal conflict persist before it becomes public? Yohuno’s promotion should have been a win for the police force; instead, it has sparked chaos. With Dampare firmly in his position, this battle of egos shows no signs of ending.
What’s particularly perplexing is that Yohuno has a little over a year left to serve, raising eyebrows as to why Dampare is so intent on undermining him during his final days while he (Dampare) has many more years to serve.
However, a source within the IGP’s circles reveals that Dr. Dampare believes his authority within the Police Service would be undermined by COP Tetteh Yehuno’s promotion as Deputy IGP in charge of Operations.
“This is because the primary function of the Police Service is operations. If the operational aspect has been assigned to a Deputy IGP, it effectively places the Deputy above the IGP,” the source explained.
“In this situation, while the IGP retains administrative authority, the command structure means that nearly all officers, including the Director-General of CID, the Director-General of Welfare, and the Director-General of IT, will report directly to the Deputy IGP in charge of Operations. Consequently, the IGP has instructed regional commanders not to report to Yehuno,” the source added, speaking on the condition of strict anonymity.
What’s next for the Ghana Police Service? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates on this escalating feud at the top!
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