Lawyer and political activist, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has launched a scathing critique of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, attributing his downfall to several controversial actions during his tenure.
According to Barker-Vormawor, the IGP’s handling of key national protests, his alleged misuse of police power, and his disregard for senior officers ultimately led to his declining reputation.
Barker-Vormawor, who has often been at odds with state security forces, particularly under Dampare’s leadership, outlined four key reasons he believes the IGP’s tenure was deeply flawed.
Chief among these, he noted, was the police’s brutal crackdown on Democracy Hub protestors.
He highlighted incidents from the “Occupy Julorbi House” demonstration to the “Stop Galamsey” protests, where citizens were reportedly met with excessive force.
“This includes the way he set his sights on me, doing almost everything in his power to use the police force against me and our other convenors.”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
The activist, a co-founder of the #The FixTheCountry movement has been vocal about what he sees as the state’s attempts to suppress activism and dissent.
Barker-Vormawor further alleged that Dr. Dampare was excessively loyal to the former administration.“I believe that he was extremely used by the former regime. He was their lapdog and he delivered!”
Accordingly, he suggested that the IGP’s actions were guided more by political interest than by justice and public service.
His comments come amid widespread speculation that the new administration under President John Mahama is considering replacing Dampare with a new IGP.
The activist also accused the police chief of empowering rogue elements within the service, particularly the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID).
According to him, some officers within this unit engaged in acts that disregarded due process and human rights. “They committed crimes that even Duterte, who is before The Hague for crimes against humanity, will be shy to imagine.”
He further stated that concerns over the conduct of PID officers were widespread among the police hierarchy, yet nothing was done to curb their excesses. Instead, these officers were allegedly treated as “Dampare’s own terror squad.”
A Legacy of PR Over Substance?
Furthermore, Barker-Vormawor strongly criticized Dampare’s public persona, accusing him of deception and self-promotion.
He claimed that Dampare’s image as a progressive and transparent leader was nothing more than a carefully crafted public relations strategy.
Comparing him to the former Finance Minister, Ofori-Atta, he described Dampare as one of the most dishonest individuals he had encountered.
“He went ahead curating PR events of babies kissing his hand and creating such a PR-driven service to mask his extreme dishonesty.”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
Barker-Vormawor also criticized the IGP for allegedly fostering division within the police service, favoring a select few officers while sidelining others.
“His total disregard for other senior police hierarchy. He had his own clique and camp. Those he liked, he kept close. Those who he didn’t like felt it paa. He was petty, vindictive, and just an extremely insecure man!”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
Accordingly, Barker-Vormawor expressed his approval of the possible leadership change within the Ghana Police Service.
He asserted that it was time for a transition, suggesting that Dampare should step aside to allow fresh leadership to take over and address the shortcomings of his tenure.
“…the man must rest for new blood to learn from where he failed!” he declared, emphasizing the need for renewal and progress within the institution.
Dampare’s Legacy Sparks Mixed Reactions
Meanwhile, the Economic Fighters League, a political pressure group, acknowledged some positive aspects of Dampare’s leadership but also criticized his role in suppressing anti-illegal mining protests.
“It is such a shame that IGP Dampare allowed Akufo-Addo to use him against patriotic Ghanaians fighting Galamsey,” the group stated in a public reaction to reports of his potential removal.
Despite their criticisms, the group recognized Dampare’s broader contributions to police reform and emphasized the importance of a fair evaluation of his tenure.
They acknowledged that while certain shortcomings marred his leadership, his dedication to improving the Ghana Police Service should not be overlooked.
“This is a stain on his otherwise long years of professional service to Ghana,” they noted, urging a balanced perspective.
They also commended his efforts to modernize and reform the police force, expressing their best wishes for his future endeavors.
Additionally, Ernesto Yeboah, leader of the Economic Fighters League, shared a more nuanced view, reflecting on his personal encounters with Dampare.
“I’ve encountered this man in various moments over the past 20 years. He is one of the finest police officers I’ve ever met. His handling of the Galamsey protests was definitely a low point. I wish him all the best.”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
As discussions over Dampare’s potential removal intensify, Ghanaians remain divided over his legacy.
While some hail his tenure as a transformative period for the police service, others see him as a tool of the political establishment whose leadership failed to uphold justice impartially.
Whether President Mahama will ultimately replace him remains to be seen, but the debate over Dampare’s legacy is far from over.
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