Security analyst, Adib Saani, has revealed that the work of the committee designated to probe the planned removal of IGP George Akuffo Dampare will be incomplete without the IGP’s appearance.
According to him, a lot of revelations and allegations have been made by police officers caught in the leaked tape on the competencies of the IGP. This, he indicated, must be probed to establish the veracity of claims made by these officers.
“The issue surrounding the IGP is what can best be described as a cacophony of issues. Indeed, the committee’s work will be incomplete without the IGP appearing, and there’s no denying the fact that the IGP has worked tirelessly to improve policing in the country…
“The police has two faces, the external face which you and I are privy to – the good works the IGP is doing, the accountability we are seeing in the police service. However, there is this other internal face which has a lot to do with administration and the IGP’s ability to galvanize support from his subordinates, so they are able to work together.”
Adib Saani
Mr Saani stated that there are seething problems within the Service and he has received complaints from some members of the police service. He explained that from the lower to top ranks, he receives calls on the happenings within the service.
“There’re a lot of disgruntled senior officers within the police service, and a lot of other officers who feel they’ve been shortchanged by the system and deserve better…”
Adib Saani
In-camera proceedings of committee today
Furthermore, Mr Saani expressed concern about allegations by COP Alex Mensah who accused the IGP of masterminding the leaked audio and also having the entire tape. He noted that he finds it “very remarkable” and that there’s the need to confirm the authenticity of the claims.
“… So, we’ve gotten another tape from Bugri Naabu which he confessed as saying that the IGP allegedly sent some two officers to his office to get it back because he doesn’t know anything about computer. So, there are a whole lot of questions that need answers… It is imperative that we listen to the side of the IGP…”
Adib Saani
Meanwhile, Mr Saani expressed disappointment in the in-camera proceedings of the committee in its interrogation of the IGP. He highlighted that because a lot of the allegations have been made publicly against the IGP, there is the need to partly air the proceedings to the public.
“I would have expected that they do it hybrid – in public, so he gets to clear his name with those allegations that is lingering in the minds of a lot of Ghanaians and the in-camera, if whatever information he’s going to give is not meant for the public. But for us to constrict it to in-camera is what I find unfortunate and unfair, especially to the IGP.”
Adib Saani
The Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare is expected to appear before the committee probing the plot to remove him today, Tuesday, September 12.
All three senior Police officers implicated in the leaked audio plotting the IGP’s removal – COP Alex Mensah, Superintendent George Asare, and Superintendent Emmanuel Eric Gyebi – who have already appeared before the committee are expected back with their lawyers today, September 12.
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