The Special Committee of Inquiry set up to probe the conspiracy to remove the Inspector-General of Police (IGP has presented its findings and key recommendations to the House.
The comprehensive report which was signed by all committe members exception of its Chairman, Samuel Atta Akyea highlighted breaches of conduct by senior police officers and proposes several measures to ensure the integrity of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) and election security management.
Communication to the President
Among several of the recommendations, the committee urged Parliament to inform His Excellency the President of the findings, as per Section 19 of the Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350).
According to the Committee, the President is vested with disciplinary powers to determine appropriate actions against Commissioner of Police (COP) Mensah, Superintendent Asare, and Superintendent Gyebi.
These officers in the findings of the committee violated Section 17(d) of the Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350), and Regulation 82(1)(c) of the Police Service Regulations, 2012 (C.I. 76), which prohibit engaging in activities outside official duties that could lead to political controversy or improper advantage.
Election Security
On election and security-related issues, the Special Committee urged the National Elections Security Task Force to implement measures to prevent the perception of election security manipulation.
This aims to ensure peace and security before, during, and after elections, thereby maintaining public confidence in the democratic process.
“In order to protect the integrity of election security management, the IGP, in his capacity as the head of the National Election Security Task Force, should manifest openness in the assignment of security personnel involved in such operations.
“Should such personnel be found to have behaved unscrupulously in the course of their work, including violently intimidating a voter, the GPS or the IGP should take the necessary disciplinary action promptly”
Parliament’s Special Committe Report on IGP Leaked Tape
Appointment of the IGP
Furthermore, the Special Committee of Parliament recommended that the President, in appointing the IGP under Article 202(1) of the Constitution, should ensure a consultative process involving key security and intelligence stakeholders.
“Therefore, in order to safeguard the sanctity and integrity of the nomination and appointment process for an IGP, the President should ensure that the process is devoid of politicization by “power brokers”, political cronies, and influence peddlers to engender the necessary public trust in the nominee IGP”
Parliament’s Special Committe Report on IGP Leaked Tape
The committee also added that the process should prioritize nominees with demonstrable political neutrality, patriotism, and professional competence.
The Committee further called for amending Article 202(1) of the 1992 Constitution to require parliamentary approval for the IGP nominee.
This change according to the committee aims to secure the political independence and legitimacy of the office, protecting it from perceptions of partisanship and political manipulation.
Professional Training
As part of measures to improve the professional development of police personnel, the Committee recommended that the Ghana Police Service should institute regular professional training for its personnel on legal, policy, and ethical frameworks.
It urged the Ghana Police Service to collaborate with the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Attorney General, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and civil society organizations to enhance professional and ethical policing.
Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)
In addition, the Special Committee called for legislation to establish an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to ensure accountability and provide a complaints mechanism.
The IPCC according to the committee would act as a Police Ombudsman, promoting peace, preventing misconduct, and monitoring professional standards within the GPS.
“That the IGP and POMAB should endeavor to adhere to the ethos of administrative justice/good governance as outlined in articles 23 and 296 of the 1992 Constitution, particularly as the Ghana Police Service is part of the public services of Ghana as enshrined in Article 190 (1) of the 1992 Constitution”.
Parliament’s Special Committe Report on IGP Leaked Tape
Legislative Amendment for Promotion
Finally, the committee called for an urgent need to amend Section 37(7) of C.I. 76, 2012, which states that officers are not entitled to promotion solely based on higher academic qualifications.
The proposed legislative amendment, according to the Special Committee would address the legal restriction placed on police personnel, who with the approval of the GPS, improve their educational standards, including passing examinations that lead to membership in professional bodies.
This amendment, the committee emphasized would enhance human resources, professional skills, and morale within the GPS.
In conclusion, the Special Committee urged Parliament to adopt the report and its recommendations to address the alleged conspiracy and strengthen the institutional framework governing the police service.
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