Executive director for the African Center for Security and Counterterrorism (ACSC), Emmanuel Kotin, has called on government to carry out security reforms in the country.

According to him, it has become necessary following the series of allegations on the competence and leadership of IGP Dampare during the ad-hoc committee’s probe into planned plot to oust him.

He revealed that the Ghana Police Service is a “regimental” institution, and for such an institution, it’s not like other public institutions that must give the way to the kind of “dissent” which is currently happening within the service.

“I have spoken to rank and file within the service, the allegations are so damning, and I think that it’s only proper that as a country, we take stock and make use of this opportunity that is before us to engineer security reforms…”
Emmanuel Kotin

Mr Kotin stated that it has been a long while since Ghana undertook and security sector reforms within its security agencies – not only the police. He explained that the country’s democracy has evolved over a period, as such, some of the security Acts need to be looked at so that it can be in tandem with the constitution.

Committee postpones proceedings to next month

Commenting on the committee’s decision to postpone its proceedings on the matter to next month, Mr Kotin noted that he has always maintained that the future is “pregnant” as there’ll be a lot of revelations ahead.

With this, he noted that the committee will go into conclave and re-design the way and approach the “delicate” issue which has very serious national security implications must take.

“I think the committee must also look at other videos that are coming up, and I will urge them to take interest in such videos because the persons identified before the videos, some of them are before the committee but others are not…
“I also want to [bring] the mind of the committee to one another thing – we should be interested in the source of the leak… So, if we’re able to identify that, we can trace the trail and that will be very significant in terms of evidence before the committee.”
Emmanuel Kotin

Furthermore, Mr Kotin emphasized the need for the committee to identify the source of the video which captured Bugri Naabu being purported to have taken some GHC10,000 from the police.

He explained that this is essential because the committee needs all these trails to be able to make a very pronounced judgement or recommendation that will be fair to both parties.

“That should be a source of concern and interest to the committee because this video is in the public space and it’s creating a lot of misinformation. So, I think for the fair play of investigations, it’s proper that they put all these evidence into perspective in their work.”
Emmanuel Kotin

Meanwhile, the executive director for ACSC noted that the postponement of proceedings by the committee will not necessarily prolong rift and tension within the service. He stated that because the committee is handling very delicate issues, it’s important it exercises caution.

“I think we need all the time and patience to digest the issues properly, make sure we are fair to all parties within the divide. Don’t forget as part of their terms of reference, they are supposed to make recommendations…”
Emmanuel Kotin

Mr Kotin reckoned that at the heart of upheavals within the service are issues that has to do with their welfare, promotions and other things, which must be dealt with.

To this end, he revealed that it’s only fair that the committee is given ample time to do its work properly.