Superintendent George Asare, one of the senior police officers implicated in the plot to oust the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has disclosed that former NPP Northern Regional Chairman, Daniel Bugri Naabu, claimed he recommended the current IGP to the President.
According to him, due to the political standing of Bugri Naabu, he never doubted his claims of facilitating the appointment of an IGP. He revealed due to this, he believed Bugri Naabu had the ability to influence the President’s decision on appointing the new IGP.
“Chief Bugri Naabu, as we all know, is a politician, he was the regional chair of the NPP in the northern region and now, he is a national council member. When we met him, in the course of our conversation, he did indicate that he recommended the current IGP to the President. So, he made that statement and if a politician tells you this, as to whether or not it’s true, you leave it as it is. Because I don’t need any appointment and I wasn’t again as well lobbying for anybody…”
Supt. George Asare
Appearing before the ad-hoc committee tasked to probe the events leading to the leaked audio today, September 4, 2023, Supt. Asare recounted that Bugri Naabu requested his presence to discuss among other things, the need for a new IGP.
With this, he explained that the former NPP northern regional chairman asked him whether he has somebody in mind that he can recommend, to which he responded in the affirmative. He explained that Bugri Naabu subsequently informed him that the government was scouting for a new IGP and sought his recommendations.
“So, he asked me who that person is, and I mentioned Commissioner of Police, George Alex Mensah’s name to him, and made him know about his credentials, his academic qualifications and the way he is highly respected among the rank and file of the Ghana Police Service…”
Supt. George Asare
Furthermore, Supt. Asare stated that he questioned Bugri Naabu on how he is privy to Police internal matters regarding the supposed retirement of COP Mensah, especially following his recommendation of the Commissioner as a potential IGP. He however indicated that he went ahead to explain to Bugri Naabu that the Commissioner is not on retirement, but on terminal leave.
“So, I took my time to let him know the differences between the two. He told me apart from him, if I go and tell the appointing authority and it backfires, who else can you recommend. Then, I recommended three other senior commissioners – COP Mr Ernest Owusu, COP Maame Yaa Addo Tiwaa Dankwa and COP Mr Christian Tetteh.”
Supt. George Asare
Meanwhile, Supt. Asare, revealed that the leaked tape which is central to the case is incomplete. He stated that the tape which has been leaked to the public has been edited by the persons behind the act.
Additionally, Supt. Asare noted that there are a lot of things that were said in the tape that have been culled out for purposes only known to the masterminds.
“Honorable chair in my earlier comments to the committee, it was clear that the tape is incomplete and whoever masterminded that tape which of course you will get to know by the close of day if not today, but I don’t know when the in-camera engagement will take place. But before I sign out, you will understand everything.”
Supt. George Asare
Prior to this, Director General of Operations for the Ghana Police Service, COP George Alex Mensah, made a similar allegation. He claimed that the content of the tape had been doctored.
The viral audio, which sought the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare from office, resulted in a debate on the floor of Parliament, with the Minority calling for a forensic audit.
READ ALSO: National House Of Chiefs Not Well-resourced To Handle Chieftaincy Issues- President
