The Minority Chief Whip in parliament, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has disclosed that Ghanaians must be careful not to create a monster out of the newly inducted Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

According to him, although Dr Dampare is seemingly delivering on his mandate, there’s the need for Ghanaians to be circumspect in praising him.

‘.. I mean Dampare, oh good guy … let’s be careful we don’t create a monster out of him. Let’s be careful because you see, he has to make sure that he’s also working within the confines of the law”.
Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka

The Asawase legislator’s comment is based on recent arrests by the police, particularly alleged reports on an attempted arrest of the MP for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, in church, on Sunday afternoon.

The arrest, was as a result of Mr. Sosu’s failure to report to the police, following an invitation concerning a demonstration he led in his constituency on, on Monday, October 25, 2021.

In reaction, Alhaji Muntaka, revealed that the earlier invitation by the police and the attempted arrest on Sunday, were all wrong moves and should not have been conceived.

Justifying his stance, he emphasized that demonstrations are a fundamental part of a country’s democracy. As such, if an MP is involved in a demonstration, the MP is conducting parliamentary business and cannot be arrested.

Arrest of Francis Xavier Sosu

Following this, Mr Muntaka called for a clearer interpretation of articles 117 and 118 by the Supreme Court. This, he explained, is to bring finality to the recent debate on circumstances under which a Member of Parliament can be arrested or not.

Meanwhile, the Minority Chief Whip indicated that the police bodyguard of the Madina MP, Francis-Xavier Sosu has been interdicted. Alhaji Muntaka criticised the act by insisting that it “is bullying; you’re being a bully”.

“Around 4:30 pm, we heard the bodyguard of the [Madina] MP has been interdicted and they have taken him to his house to take all his police accoutrements”.
Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka

On October 31, 2021, parliament expressed its inability to release Mr Sosu to assist in investigations as requested by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Ghana Police Service.

In a letter dated October 28, addressed to the Deputy-Director General of Criminal Investigation Division, F.K. Agyei, Parliament indicated that due to limitations of Articles 117 and 118 of the 1992 Constitution, Mr Sosu could not be released.

The Deputy Director of Legal Services, Nana Tawiah Okyir, disclosed that he was directed by the Rt. Hon. Speaker to inform the police of proceedings “of the 3rd Meeting of the 1st Session of the 8th Parliament commenced on Tuesday 26th October, 2021”.

“… And having regard to the limitations of articles 117 and 118 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic, he is unable to release the Member of Parliament as requested in your letter”.
Nana Tawiah Okyir