Ever since he was appointed as the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akufo Dampare has gained a lot of eulogies, but these praises have not come without the fair share of plots and rebuke. Perhaps, what sets him apart is his origin.
As someone who joined the police service as a constable and rose to the top, he understands the dynamics of the institution. He also appears to know the sentiment of its rank and file. His hands-on job approach has proven to be the magic wand that the service has been lacking for a while.
Under his watch, the service has seen a massive facelift for its facilities across the country. Added to this, is the newfound public image of a responsive institution. Every passing day, the police tend to regain seceded grounds based on past trust issues. As the election gets near, all these new successes and experiments will be put to the test. Can the service deliver as expected?
Public Perception
Of all state security services, the police have the worst reputation. Many have argued the service is not the worst, but it interfaces more with citizens, and this fuels that perception. In a country where corruption is endemic, one cannot say that the service is angelic. Recently, public trust in the service has been enviable and encouraging. From the look of things, attitudes and changing and police have a better image today than they did a few years back.
The rate at which suspects who are declared wanted and posted on the police social media handles are apprehended says two things. On the one hand, it shows an improved service with better expertise and commitment to work, on the other hand, it implies that citizens now feel confident to provide information to service without fear for their safety and well-being. The service must be proud of itself.
Confidence and Commitment
The new crop of police officers and personnel look and sound smart. Above all, they are very professional in their interaction with citizens. It leaves one to wonder if it is the demeanor of their superior that has found its way into the rank and file. But of course, there will be recalcitrant ones, yet the numbers have drastically diminished. Gone are the days when you see police personnel look haggard and unattractive.
Now they glitter like the new face of Ghana. Both the young men and women in the service have added some verve to the institution and must be commended for their confidence and commitment.
Security and Elections
Popularly called by his last name by the public, IGP Dampare has gone so much for himself and the service. He is doing a fantastic job with security. During the yuletide, they scant cases of theft and petty crimes. This is a far cry from the past. Across the length and breadth of the country, towns and cities were placed under firm police surveillance and protection.
Despite all this, hard work, and goodwill, the December Elections would be his biggest challenge. The politics of winner-take-all makes elections a “do-or-die affair” in this part of the world. Otherwise, an election is ideally a battle of ideals, policies, and alternatives.
Yet, the man has shown a knack for election security as much as he does in other areas. For that, he has received verbal and written commendations from many notable organizations. The latest one was from the Center for Democratic Development’s (CDD) Mr. Paul Aborampah Mensah, who praised the IGP over his handling of bye-elections so far without any major incident.
Culling from the aforementioned, one can only expect the same, if not a better performance from the police service and its helmsman on 7th December when Ghanaians go to cast their ballots. In a country where the government easily gets its way on issues, is it not surprising that not even the Bugri Naabu Saga could derail his grip on the service?
Even if he does not go down as one of the most powerful Inspector Generals to ever man the service, perhaps, his popularity may be difficult to replicate. If anything at all, the rousing reception and support given to him by his compatriot tells that Ghanaians know the kind of police service they need and one they deserve.
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