According to Peter Lanchene Toobu, the Wa West MP and a member of the committee that investigated the leaked tape, President Akufo-Addo’s appointment of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as Inspector General of Police (IGP) was not solely based on a report, contrary to popular belief.
The Wa West lawmaker emphasized that the President possesses the constitutional prerogative to exercise discretion in appointing or declining to appoint an individual as Inspector General of Police (IGP), highlighting the President’s authority in making such decisions.
“Whatever it is, it’s the prerogative of the President… He appointed George Akuffo Dampare because he believed that he could manage the police to ensure that he achieved his objectives as the President of the Republic of Ghana.
Peter Lanchene Toobu
Additionally, Toobu pointed out that only President Akufo-Addo truly knows his level of satisfaction with the IGP’s performance, as no one has access to the President’s thoughts or opinions on the matter, emphasizing the subjective nature of the President’s decision-making process.
Toobu stressed that the President holds the exclusive right to decide whether to appoint a new IGP or keep Dr. Dampare in his position, allowing him to continue his effective leadership.
“I don’t think that a report is what will direct the President to do what he is supposed to do or what he is not supposed to do”. – Peter Lanchene Toobu
He pointed out that there are numerous reports in the country that warrant Presidential action, but despite this, the President has consistently failed to take any decisive steps, suggesting a pattern of inaction.
Toobu pointed out that the President has disregarded reports and taken action in the past, despite receiving contrary advice, suggesting that the rumored report is not a reliable basis for speculating about the IGP’s removal.
Accordingly, he cautioned the public against indulging in speculative discussions and creating harmful narratives, urging them to refrain from spreading unfounded rumors and unsubstantiated claims.
Parliamentary Committee Clears IGP Of Allegations
Meanwhile, the parliamentary committee investigating the IGP found no concrete evidence to substantiate claims of abuse of power and other allegations, despite explicit accusations made against the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, in the recorded tape.
The committee’s report highlighted the grave consequences of the three officers’, COP Mensah, Supt Asare, and Supt Gyebi, actions on Ghana’s democratic stability and integrity, stressing the potential damage to the country’s democratic foundations.
“The conspiracy by COP Mensah, Supt Asare, and Supt Gyebi to remove the IGP based purely on partisan considerations could undermine free, fair, and transparent elections and, ultimately, the sanctity of Ghana’s democracy COP Alex Mensah, Supt Asare, and Supt Gyebi indeed conspired to oust the IGP and replace him with an NPP loyalist, planning to meet the President to achieve this goal”.
Parliamentary Committee
Furthermore, the committee discovered that two officers had provided false testimony before Parliament and consequently referred them to the Privileges Committee for investigation and potential disciplinary action.
“The Committee is of the view that Supt Asare and Supt Gyebi appeared to have acted in contempt of Parliament pursuant to Order 30 of the Standing Orders of Parliament (2000) as revised by Order 13 (1) of the Standing Orders of Parliament (2024)”.
Parliamentary Committee
The implicated officers had claimed that IGP Dampare’s stringent approach could potentially harm the New Patriotic Party’s chances in the upcoming elections, implying that his actions could have political repercussions.
They also alleged that the IGP was conducting sweeping arrests of officers from other security agencies without discernment or justification, implying a lack of discretion and potential abuse of power.
Meanwhile, the opposition NDC responded to the alleged ousting of the IGP by accusing the ruling NPP of attempting to manipulate the upcoming elections by forcibly removing the IGP from his position, potentially undermining the independence of the police force.
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