The tenure of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as Inspector General of Police (IGP) following his removal from Office by H.E. President John Dramani Mahama has sparked mixed reactions across the country.
Security analyst Professor Kwesi Aning has eulogized Dampare’s tenure as an IGP amid his removal from office. He provided an in-depth assessment of his leadership, highlighting both his strengths and areas within Ghana’s security system that require improvement.
His analysis touched on the humanization of the police service, crime reduction, internal service challenges, and public trust in the police.
Professor Aning acknowledged that Dr. Dampare brought a “human face” to the Ghana Police Service, emphasizing his responsiveness to crises and the humane approach he introduced.
“I think the police officers themselves changed in terms of their attitude to the public because there was a sense that there was a better discipline, and that people would be dealt with where they flouted the rules.”
“For ordinary people who were the recipients of the services of the Ghana Police Service, I think most people feel he has done well, that crime has gone down, that a sense of fear people felt with armed robbery and carjackings has reduced.”
Professor Kwesi Aning Security Analyst
However, he acknowledged that some critics remain skeptical about Dampre’s leadership. When questioned whether crime has truly declined or it is merely a perception, Prof. Anning touted that during Dampare’s tenure as an IGP, he could move about freely without being threatened.
Despite his successes, Dr. Dampare’s leadership within the police service was met with mixed reactions.
“There was a joyous response among police officers across the country who were dancing with white handkerchiefs. And I asked, were they dancing because a disciplinarian has left, and now they think it is business as usual?”
Professor Kwesi Aning Security Analyst
Controversies Surrounding Promotions
One major point of contention was the issue of promotions and career progression within the service.
“The Ghana Police Service is a hierarchical statutory security service. It’s expected that after several years, you get promoted and move to the next rank. But there has been a problem with people who take extra advanced training without the permission of the service and unkown to the service, [later] return demanding a promotion.”
“The service knows what qualifications it wants for a particular position. And therefore, it either grooms or promotes people gradually to fill that role.”
Professor Kwesi Aning Security Analyst
Another area of concern was the police’s use of force in managing protests and demonstrations. While acknowledging that crowd control has been a long-standing issue for successive IGPs, Professor Aning stressed the need for improved training.
“When you have a permit to demonstrate, it does not also give you the right to insult or provoke the security services. They are trained to restrain themselves, but they are also humans.”
Professor Kwesi Aning Security Analyst
Professor Aning also assessed the IGP’s approach to information management, noting that communication was highly centralized under his leadership.
“One of the key metrics in measuring policing success is community trust. The flow of information under Dampare’s leadership, being so centralized, may have limited public confidence in the police service.”
Professor Kwesi Aning Security Analyst
Dr. George Akuffo Dampare’s tenure as IGP was marked by notable successes in crime reduction, a more humane approach to policing, and improved discipline within the service. However, his leadership also faced criticism over promotion disputes, the handling of protests, and access to information.
As the Ghana Police Service moves forward under the new leadership of COP Tetteh Yuhono, Professor Aning’s analysis suggests that building on the strengths of Dampare’s administration while addressing its shortcomings will be key to sustaining public trust and effective policing.
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