IMANI Africa has taken legal action against the removal of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as Inspector-General of Police, filing an injunction at the Supreme Court to challenge President John Dramani Mahama’s decision.
The think tank insists that the dismissal violates constitutional provisions governing security service appointments, arguing that such removals should not be subject to political discretion.
Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, clarified that the injunction was not merely a reaction to Dampare’s removal but an extension of an earlier lawsuit.
“The President has decided that he no longer requires the services of Dr. Dampare as the IGP. He may well be within his rights to do so, and no one can begrudge him for making his decision”
Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa
However, he stressed that IMANI’s legal battle predates this development.
“This morning’s injunction filed by our lawyers was in furtherance of a suit filed by IMANI and Prof. Kwesi Aning last year, March 2024, at the Supreme Court, nine months before the December elections.
“It is not a fresh case, and the injunction request was based on many published rumors about Dampare’s removal. It is not about any attempt to derail John Mahama at all”
Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa
IMANI is seeking a declaration that, under a proper interpretation of Articles 200, 202(1), 202(2), 202(3), 205, 207(1), 207(2), 207(3), 190(1), 191, 196, 199, and 269 of the 1992 Constitution, the President has no unilateral authority to dismiss security heads unless there is clear evidence of misconduct.
Cudjoe elaborated on this point, stating that the constitution does not grant the President the power to remove officeholders such as the Chief Fire Officer, the Director-General of the Prisons Service, or the Comptroller-General of the Immigration Service unless they are guilty of misconduct, reach the statutory retirement age, resign, or become incapacitated.
Concerns Over Political Influence
IMANI argues that successive governments have established a pattern of dismissing security heads without constitutional basis.
Cudjoe referenced past instances where officers were compelled to vacate their positions before retirement.
“For instance, in 2017, the then Director-General of the Prisons Service, Mr. Emmanuel Yao Adzator, was asked to proceed on leave at the age of 54, and subsequently, another was appointed in his stead”
Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa
Dampare, also 54, has now been replaced in a similar manner. IMANI contends that this trend undermines the independence of security institutions and exposes them to political interference.
“Today… the immediate past IGP has been removed by a new president without stating any of the grounds in the Constitution upon which he has been removed”
Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa
IMANI’s case urges the Supreme Court to issue a consequential order preventing the President from dismissing or replacing security chiefs outside the conditions explicitly stated in the Constitution.
IMANI’s petition seeks to prevent the Republic from dismissing or attempting to dismiss or remove the appointment of persons occupying such security offices without due cause.
Appointment of COP Yohuno
Despite IMANI’s lawsuit in 2024, President Mahama has appointed Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new IGP. The appointment was made in consultation with the Council of State, as required by the Constitution.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the President’s spokesperson, announced the decision, stating, “COP Yohuno brings forty years of experience to the position of IGP and is expected to oversee the modernization and transformation of the Ghana Police Service.”
This triggered IMANI’s injunction against the appointment. With the Supreme Court set to rule on the matter on May 7, 2025, the outcome could set a critical precedent regarding the extent of executive power over security institutions.
IMANI’s challenge, if upheld, could curtail future presidents from making politically motivated changes in security leadership, reshaping the governance of Ghana’s security services.
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