The scramble for power is an agelong characteristic of man in his quest to not only dominate but assert some level of authority over his fellow. While power in its natural sense, is meant to effectively streamline operations, not only to ensure effectiveness but engender progress for the good of all in a society or country, it has taken a whole new definition over the years.
A place of leadership is a place of constantly learning new ways of doing the right things, while trying to satisfy the needs and demands of people whose hunger and thirst remain insatiable. The case is even truer when that leadership position is in a place of Service.
In more ways than one, the Ghana Police Service by its very dictates, and enshrined in its laws, is mandated to all times protect the peace in the country, ensure safety of citizens, and walk side by side with government and other security agencies to see to the overall development of the country.
However, when there’s seething anger and displeasure in the running of the operations of the Service, there’s bound to be chaos, and for an outfit which is meant to maintain order, it cannot afford to put on a disorderly cloak even if it’s for PR gimmick.
The intended or perhaps unintended leakage of an audio which planned to unseat an IGP in the country brought chills to all who heard the orchestration from men under his leadership. Despite the fact that the connivance to unseat IGP Dampare leaves a chilling impact, especially as his leadership style has endeared him to all, including the opposition party, it is not entirely a surprising phenomenon.
Now, the political interest or otherwise, in the unfolding of events cannot be overemphasized, as Ghanaians are faced once again with political interference in an institution meant to be wholly independent of political colorings. The presumption of operational independence of the Police has been challenged by virtue of the leaked video, as some sympathizers within the force try to unashamedly get rid of the IGP to prevent him from interfering with the chances of the sitting government in retaining power.
As the revelations from the tape reveals the minds of a group of people within the Service, it raises concerns about the potential for political intrusion. Now, the ad-hoc committee set up to probe the veracity of the content of the tape with accounts from persons caught masterminding casts an even gloomier picture on the state of policing and politics in general.
Sealing the cracks in a formidable institution
One of the three police officers alleged to have featured in a conversation that discussed the purported plot to remove the Inspector General of Police challenged the authenticity of the audio being investigated by the seven-member committee of Parliament.
Commissioner of Police (COP) George Alex Mensah, the Director-General in charge of Technical Services of the Ghana Police Service, among other things, doubted the authenticity of the tape. Nonetheless, his stark revelation on the ineptitude of the current IGP, leading to some disgruntled police officers in the Service demands a closer look and redress if need be.
Moreover, his revelation of being a New Patriotic Party (NPP) sympathizer, as his family has always been committed to the NPP political tradition changes the face of the matter. This is so because no man can serve two masters, for he will either love one or hate the other – as was expressly captured in the audio attempting to oust the IGP.
Time and occurrences have proven that anytime politics get mixed with an inestimable institution, things get messy and murky quickly, as it has been revealed in the leaked audio. There are a lot of questions to be answered to quell a greater evil from happening, not only in the Service, but the political and governmental framework of the country.
While some have called for the psychological evaluation of COP Alex Mensah due to his varying responses to the committee’s line of questioning on the leaked audio, the crux of the matter and arguments raised by him must be treated with all the gravitas needed. Reforms in the police service must take place and an internal committee set up to address the underlying issues and grievances from the police officers on the ground.
Law and order must prevail for any country to truly thrive, and when there’s discord within the very institutions meant to ensure that, then the country and people become exposed to the vagaries of external intrusions.
