Former Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bugri Naabu, has strongly denied any personal connections with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, amid controversy surrounding an alleged leaked audio discussing plans to remove the IGP.
In a July 20 interview with Kwesi Parker-Wilson of Oyerepa TV at his office, Bugri Naabu expressed his frustration with people labeling him as the IGP’s “boy.”
He asserted that such claims are not only infuriating but also disrespectful. Bugri Naabu emphasized that he holds his own authority and standing in society and firmly stated that the IGP is not someone who should be referred to as his “boy.”
“Who is IGP that I can be his boy? Please don’t get me angry,” he stated, when told by the journalist that the claim was making the rounds in town, he hit back: “but do you believe that, you yourself, how many times haven’t I called you to give you news, do I look like IGP‘s boy? IGP cannot call me his father, but he can call me his Nana (chief); that is who I am,” Bugri Naabu asserted.
Furthermore, Bugri Naabu stated his willingness to cooperate with any investigation that may arise regarding the leaked audio and its implications.
“I am a Ghanaian, and so I am not above anything; if I have committed an offense, the offense will chop me,” Bugri Naabu added.
The alleged leaked audio, which reportedly involves discussions about removing the IGP from office, has garnered public attention and raised concerns about the involvement of influential figures in the nation’s security apparatus.
The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) has allegedly arrested the personal aide to Bugri Naabu, the former Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over the leaked tape hovering around the removal of Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare.
This information per reports, was revealed by Mr. Naabu. Per reports, he discovered this information after realising their absence at the workplace upon his arrival at the office.
Per reports, Mr Naabu did not disclose the source of his information.
“I learnt they came with a white car and police people men well-armed pushed them in and took them away,” he is quoted by MyJoyOnline.com to have said.
The NPP stalwart said “I don’t know their whereabouts but I am getting information that they are in BNI (now NIB), Kawukudi Junction.”
Bugri Naabu is said to have expressed interest in visiting the NIB office along with his lawyers to ascertain the reason behind the arrest.
“So I am appealing to you the journalists, and I am getting some lawyers also to join them to find out what is happening,” he added.
The arrest, he believes, is linked to a leaked audio in which voices are heard conspiring against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
The situation remains under investigation, and further details are yet to emerge.
A pre-burial service has been organised for Ghanaian police officer, Callistus Amoah, who was killed in his line of work in a bullion van robbery incident at Ablekuma.
The service was held today, July 14 at the St. George Catholic Church in Tesano, Accra.
During the ceremony, the slain officer was posthumously promoted from General Lance Corporal to General Corporal.
The announcement of his promotion was received with profound reverence, serving as a testament to his unwavering commitment and selflessness.
Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akufo Dampare, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Callistus Amoah and expressed sympathy to the organizations with which he was affiliated throughout his service.
Dr. Dampare further assured the public that every possible measure would be taken to apprehend and ensure that the perpetrators of this abhorrent act face the full force of the law.
“On behalf of my colleagues and the leadership of the Police, I extend my condolences to Amanda, the parents of my brother and the institutions that when my brother was alive was involved in. Since the incident happened, I have been in an unmeasurable pain which I have not been able to quantify and define until I came here today,” he said.
“Calis is a colleague to all of us at the top but to me, he is a brother because the village he comes from is close to a village I have adopted because of the benevolence of an old lady towards me,” the IGP added.
The widow, Amanda Amoah, also paid tribute to her husband, describing him as a generous person.
Meanwhile, the funeral rites will take place on July 15, at his family house. A short burial mass will be held on that very day at Kologu, Navrongo, in the Upper East Region.
Amoah Callistus was shot dead by unknown assailants at Ablekuma Star Oil filling station in Accra on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Meanwhile, two of the four men who orchestrated the attack have been arrested and arraigned. Benjamin Ojogbe and Rashid Abdul were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder on July 3 by the Kansehie District Court.
The Police are however on a manhunt for the remaining perpetrators.
Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has expressed concern over the leaked audio that discusses plans to remove Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, emphasizing the potential risks it poses for the 2024 elections.
In a statement utilizing the Appropriate Standing Orders of the House, the Deputy Minority Leader called upon the Speaker of Parliament to establish a Parliamentary Inquiry to investigate the leaked audio. During the statement, the deputy Minority leader provided an overview of the audio’s content.
“Mr. Speaker, the contents of this audio recording portend grave danger for the upcoming 2024 General Elections if not thoroughly investigated and dealt with to ascertain its authenticity or otherwise.
“The unnamed Commissioner of Police on the tape, contrary to the professional code of ethics of the Ghana Police Service to maintain “Service with Integrity”, rather contemplates doing everything humanly possible to help the Government and the New Patriotic Party to win the election, saying: “there is mafia work in every election” (to wit, elections are not won fairly). In his view, the current IGP will not help the New Patriotic Party – the party that appointed him, to carry out such “mafia works” as was demonstrated by his fair conduct in the recent Assin North by-election, and hence he must be changed,” Mr. Kofi Buah stated.
He continued: “It is instructive, and equally troubling, Mr. Speaker, that Senior Officers of the Ghana Police Service who are seized with the very sensitive matters of election security management, and are expected to demonstrate neutrality, fairness and utmost professionalism in matters of election security, would rather conspire to favour the course of the New Patriotic Party to retain power in 2024.”
Kofi Buah stated that as Parliament their concern must be situated within the context of the 31st January 2019 Ayawaso West-Wuogon by-election violence, and other acts of violence.
The lawmaker also mentioned incidents that were recorded at Techiman South and other parts of the country during the 2020 General Election in which eight (8) Ghanaian citizens lost their lives.
“Mr. Speaker, this audio recording equally unveils serious national security concerns that must be investigated by this August House of Parliament. Several pronouncements by the said officer, reveal the presence of partisan elements within the top hierarchy of the Ghana Police Service, whose loyalty is solely to the New Patriotic Party and its leadership, and not the Republic of Ghana. The said officer whose voice is captured on tape, regrettably identifies as a “Regime Police Officer”, and boldly declares his loyalty and that of other senior Police officers to the New Patriotic Party. He further professes their determination to help the party hold on to power beyond 2024 against the sovereign will of the Ghanaian people.”
The Parliament Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has instructed the establishment of a seven-member committee to investigate the leaked audio recording allegedly involving individuals plotting the removal of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
The committee will consist of three members from each side of the House, along with a technical expert.
The Speaker directed that the names of the three members from both the Majority and Minority caucuses be provided within one week, as of Thursday, July 13.
This decision comes shortly after Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah submitted an urgent statement requesting an investigation into the leaked recording. The Speaker requested a written version of the statement in order to make appropriate orders, which was accomplished on Thursday.
The committee’s mandate, as outlined by the Speaker, includes verifying the authenticity of the leaked audio recording, examining the conspiracy to remove the current IGP, addressing any other matters raised in the recording, and proposing appropriate sanctions for those found responsible.
Furthermore, the committee is expected to suggest reforms if necessary, and provide additional recommendations and consequential measures as deemed fit.
The leaked audio recording features voices purportedly belonging to high-ranking officials from the Ghana Police Service and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) discussing Dr. Akuffo Dampare. They express doubts about the IGP’s impartiality, alleging his support for former President John Dramani Mahama and scheming to facilitate the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) return to power before the 2024 general elections.
The recording has faced widespread condemnation, with calls for an investigation into its contents. Minister of Interior Ambrose Dery, however, dismissed the recording and reassured the public of Ghana’s peaceful electoral process leading up to and following the 2024 elections.
“There is no plot to remove anybody,” he told journalists in Accra on Tuesday, July 11.
“I can assure you that I serve a president who is committed and has respect for human rights. Under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, we will make sure that 2024 is peaceful.
“One thing to be sure, 2024 will not be a violent election by anybody and no one will want to thwart the will of the people. If you vote us in, you vote us in, if you vote us out, you vote us out.”
Son of the late former Paramount Chief of the Somey Traditional Area, Courage Kwame Azumah, claims that IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has particularly let him down.
When the elders of his hometown attempted to remove him and his siblings from their father’s home, Courage Kwame Azumah expressed his disgust in the police chief, claiming that the IGP had not bothered to step in.
He claims that since 1971, when their late father, Togbui Hor II, assumed the position of chief, this residence has served as the paramount palace.
In an interview on GhanawebTV, he stated that the positive feeling he had about the IGP when he first took over is no longer there.
“Even our Inspector General of Police is aware but he’s not done anything; he’s not replied any of my messages. Yes, Dr. Dampare. He knows everything that’s happening, even the Agbozume police, people have threatened to kill my brother there but even the Agbozume police cannot arrest the people there because they are afraid to go to Nogokpo, because the people they are supposed to arrest come from Nogokpo.
“… actually, I’ve lost faith in the IGP. I liked him very much when he started working. I even had a letter for him – about a four-page letter, to send to him personally, or to deliver to him but I just tore the letter into pieces and forgot about contributing to help the nation,” he lamented.
Further explaining that Agbozume residents insist that their father’s house, which is also the palace, must remain the palace, Courage Kwame Azumah advised them to leave immediately.
But he asserts that despite their efforts, they have not yet been successful in getting the community’s kinsmen to accept their reasons that the house cannot continue to be a palace.
He emphasized that while it would have been simple for them to cause trouble in the area, they have instead refrained from doing so in the hopes that a day will come when both sides of the dispute will reach a resolution that benefits them.
“One brother called me recently that I should find money and come so that they will enstool me as the chief because we have the palace already. And if I’d wanted to create a chieftaincy problem, I could get money from anywhere and start causing that chieftaincy problem,” he explained.
Today, Thursday, July 13, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, commenced a working tour to evaluate the quality of service provided by the police at the East Legon, Legon, and Airport Police stations.
This tour follows a similar initiative that began last week in Amasaman, allowing the IGP to gather first-hand experiences of the public when they interact with the police at various stations in Accra.
During today’s tour, Dr. Dampare, accompanied by members of the Police Management Board, also visited the La Bawuleshie Presby Basic School.
Their purpose was to engage with the schoolchildren and emphasize the importance of developing relationships with the police in their communities.
The objective of this effort is to educate the children, encouraging them to overcome any fear they may have of law enforcement officers and fostering a better understanding of their role in maintaining security.
Recognizing that security is a shared responsibility, the aim is to empower the children to actively participate in creating a safer environment by working alongside the police.
By undertaking these visits and engaging with both the public and schoolchildren, Dr. Dampare aims to improve public trust, enhance community policing, and strengthen the bond between the police and the citizens they serve.
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, tensions in the Ghanaian Parliament rose in the wake of a leaked recording on which senior police officers were purportedly heard plotting to unseat the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare.
Per portions of the leaked tape gone viral on social media, some anonymous individuals expressed concern over the ability of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to break the 8 should Dr Akuffo Dampare remain in office.
MP for Nandom and Minister of the Interior for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ambrose Dery, and other lawmakers were making an effort to dismiss the allegation made in the tape by asserting that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had no plans to fire IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs, however, asserted that the claims stated on the recording are grave and require more investigation.
One of the MPs who argued in favor of the NDC MPs was Haruna Iddrisu, the MP for Tamale South and former minority leader. She claimed that the security implications in the leaked audio are too serious to ignore.
He claimed that the problems raised in the audio are problematic for both Ghana’s democracy and the safety and security of its citizens.
“We collectively want to preserve this democracy. So, what the deputy leader is seeking is that… this house must take interest in conducting a thorough forensic audit into the leaked tape; Mr Speaker, in other to establish the veracity or otherwise of what is contained in that tape.
“And more importantly Mr Speaker to preserve the professional integrity of the Inspector General of Police (Dr George Akuffo Dampare) and to protect him thereon,” he said.
“The word free and fair has constitutional meaning. When the constitution says that elections shall be conducted in a manner which is free. Free from what?
“Free from fear, free intimidation, free from influence – it has a meaning… So, Mr Speaker to preserve our democracy and protect the professional integrity of the Inspector General of Police and to appreciate what Dampare is doing in preserving this, we are requesting for parliamentary enquire into the leaked tape,” he concluded.
Minister for Interior, Ambrose Dery, has dismissed claims that the government seeks to remove from office, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, as part of its measures to retain power come 2024 elections.
Interacting with the press in Parliament on Tuesday, July 12, Mr Ambrose Dery indicated that the government has been impressed with the work of the current Police administration.
According to the minister, the mantra ‘law is a respecter of no persons’ has been personified under the leadership of Dr George Akuffo Dampare, who was sworn in as the 23rd Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service in October 2021.
Also, Mr Dery maintained that President Akufo-Addo remains committed to providing Ghanaians a security system that treats all equal before the law.
He concluded by emphasising that “this government is not going to tamper with the 2024 elections.”
A security analyst, Col. Festus Aboagye (Rtd), has stated that he agrees with those pushing for an investigation into the leaked tape allegedly showing an alleged plot to depose Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare.
He explained that if people who were previously captured on camera making questionable assertions were invited and questioned, this tape should go through the same process and be scrutinized.
“I join those calling for the probe in this mysterious take,” he said when speaking to the media on Wednesday, July 12.
“First of all, there have been earlier instances of audio tapes and the state has invited those involved for questioning so this must be also investigated.
“More importantly, the allegations on this tape have very serious ramifications for constitutional integrity.
“Peddling influence to have the IGP removed, that amounts to subversion of the constitution, the constitution is very clear on how the IGP is removed.”
Parliament has formed a committee to look into the tape.
This came after MPs debated the subject on the House floor on Wednesday.
Mr Dan Botwe, Member of Parliament for Okere, for example, disputed claims that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) can assist a political party in winning an election.
On Wednesday, July 12, during a debate in Parliament on the leaked audio of IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the former General Secretary of the NPP stated that, in principle, he supports any probe into the alleged tape.
He said “In 2000, I was the General Secretary of the [NPP] and I was at the Police Quarters at 1 AM, we had to deal with the late IGP Peter Nanfuri. In spite of all that we went ahead and won the election. So to create the impression that an IGP can do something extraordinary and wonderful to assist a party to win an election is wrong.
“If there is a tape and we want it to be investigated, I, in principle, have no problem but to go ahead and give the impression that a particular IGP’s presence or not will determine the outcome of the election is wrong.”
This came after Builsa North MP James Agalga declared on the House floor, “These are matters that need to be thoroughly investigated.”
Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tamale South, also stated, “Mr. Speaker, it is a truism that there is a leaked tape which leaked tape contains matters relating to the conduct of the IGP and effort and attempts at a conspiracy to seek his removal on the basis of those allegations in that tape.”
“Mr Speaker, the primary duty and responsibility of the president and by extension, the Minister of Interior is the safety and security of its citizens which is vested right in the hands of IGP, and by extension to preserve our democracy. Mr Speaker, we collectively want to preserve democracy. So this House must take interest in conducting a thorough forensic audit into the leaked tape in order to establish the veracity or otherwise of what is contained in that tape.”
Speaker Alban Bagbin, in his ruling, said “There is a need for an investigation but going by the Standing Orders I have to give proper direction as to the nature, the type of the investigation. Going by the same Standing Orders 72, the last sentence says the terms of any such proposed statement shall first be submitted to Mr. Speaker.
“So I will urge the maker of the statement to submit in writing the terms of the proposed statements which he just gave us notice of. This will guide me to give the direction as to how the investigation or inquiry be conducted by the appropriate committee of the House.”
Ambrose Dery, Minister of the Interior, has denied rumors that members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are plotting to depose the Inspector General of Police.
“There is no plot to remove anybody,” he told journalists in Accra on Tuesday, July 11.
He added “I can assure you that I serve a president who is committed and has respect for human rights. Under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo we will make sure that 2024 is peaceful.
“One thing to be sure, 2024 will not be a violent election by anybody and no one will want to thwart the will of the people. If you vote us in, you vote us in, if you vote us out, you vote us out.”
Portions of an audio that allegedly captures the plot to remove Dr Dampare said that “Alhaji, my only problem… this current IGP if we do a mistake and take him to the elections, it will not help us.
“It will not help us at all and I will not mind if the position is not given to me but that man is changed; because he will not help us, he will not help us at all… he won’t help the party at all.
“I know there are others who are also good for this position, if I don’t get and this man is changed and those people that we think they are our men get I (it is ok)t… Because we need to break this 8.
“That is important, we need to break the 8… Because I wouldn’t want doctor to become the flagbearer and then we lose the elections… ” one of the senior officers told the senior NPP members who is believed to be a former regional chairman of the party and now a traditional ruler.”
The managing editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jr, has blasted the putative police commissioner shown in a leaked recording in which efforts are purportedly being made to remove Inspector-General of Police George Akuffo Dampare before the 2024 elections.
On July 12, 2023, while speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana program, he compared the alleged commissioner—who in the audio only identified himself as Mensah—to a potential coup plotter.
Kwesi Pratt asserts that the commissioner would have planned a coup against the government if he had control over any division of the Ghanaian Armed Forces.
“If we have such demented people in positions, what do you think will happen, look; if people like this are in the army, they are materials for staging coup d’etat. Do you know that? People who think that the will of the people doesn’t matter, the constitution doesn’t matter, if this man has control over any section of the armed forces, what do you think would have happened? I you win an election and you are not NPP, they will make a coup against you.”
If people like these are in the army, they'd be a materials for coup d'etats – Kwesi Pratt fumes at person purported to be the commissioner of police in leaked audio#GoodMorningGhana#MetroTVpic.twitter.com/Qwpy3qUa0D
A cop who calls himself “Mensah” and a politician who is allegedly a regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are both heard on the recording. Their discussion centers on their plans to remove the IGP because they believe he would be too rigid during the 2024 elections and would prevent any potential rigging.
The IGP’s administration of the Assin North by-election is expressly cited by the Commissioner as evidence of his dedication to ensuring free and fair elections.
No serving military officer or Inspector General of Police in the nation is allowed to influence the results of elections, according to Patrick Yaw Boamah, the member of parliament representing Okaikwei Central Constituency.
The MP made this statement today, July 12, 2023, when discussions about the leaked tape that revealed a plot by some top New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Ghana Police Service officials to unseat the current Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, ahead of the 2024 elections began to take place in the house.
He wants to dispel any myths about the IGP’s impact on election outcomes.
“Mr Speaker let me put it on record that, no IGP, no serving military officer can determine an election in the country,” he said.
The MP for Tamale Central, Haruna Iddrisu, stated that the President and the Minister of the Interior’s first responsibility is to protect the safety and security of the populace.
He underlined the significance of undertaking a forensic audit into the leaked tape in order to determine its contents and uphold the IGP’s ethical standards.
Haruna Iddrisu, a former minority leader, also pushed for the creation of a separate police commission to investigate police misconduct.
“The primary duty and the responsibility of the president and by extension the minister of interior is the safety and security of its citizen which is vested right in the hands of the IGP and by extension to preserve our democracy.”
“We want to preserve this democracy; this house must take interest in conducting a thorough forensic audit into the leaked tape in order to establish what is contained in that tape and more importantly to preserve the professional integrity of the IGP,” Haruna continued.
A security analyst, Adib Saani, has cautioned the government against any attempt to dismiss the incumbent Inspector General of Police (IGP), as indicated in a leaked audio recording purportedly capturing a meeting involving high-ranking officials of the Ghana Police Service and a prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In his assessment, the security analyst highlights that the removal of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the current IGP, from his position is expected to have adverse implications for Ghana’s democratic system.
During an interview on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Adib expressed his belief that if the IGP were to resign from his position, it would contribute to allegations of the government plotting to manipulate the 2024 elections. This, in turn, would compel electoral stakeholders to take actions that could result in catastrophic outcomes.
“If by any chance the IGP is removed, it would be ill-timed and it would be very dangerous for our democracy.
“And it would confirm all the suspicious making round that the government wants to use the police to manipulate the elections,” he said.
The security analyst said that the government has no reason to remove the IGP because he has performed his duties wonderfully well, and removing him would only amount to punishing him for doing his work well.
“Compare the work the IGP did in Kumawu and Assin North to the work that was done in Ayawaso West Wuogon. The IGP then (during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election) was never fired, nothing happened to him.
“See the clinical job they did in Assin North. Why do you have to vilify someone for doing his work, it is unfair and dangerous,” he added.
Background:
A leaked audio recording, allegedly involving a Police Commissioner and a politician discussing a plot to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare, has ignited public outrage.
The recording features an officer who identifies himself as “Mensah” and a politician who is reportedly a regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Their conversation revolves around plans to remove the IGP from office due to fears that he would be too firm during the 2024 elections and prevent any potential rigging.
The Commissioner of Police also specifically identifies the IGP’s handling of the Assin North by-election as evidence of his commitment to ensuring free and fair elections.
Ghana Police Service installs 150 body cameras on personnel to enhance professionalism and investigations.
The Director of Police Public Affairs, ACP Grace Ansah Akrofi, mentioned this during a visit to police stations in Accra led by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare.
The body cameras are currently being used by the Visibility Unit in Accra. ACP Akrofi also highlighted the use of these devices during recent by-elections and the establishment of units for Election, Missing Persons, and Cold Cases by the Police Administration.
“For the cold case unit, it helps personnel to review cases and look into new evidence and at the election unit the police service engages with political parties on elections and the missing case unit helps trace missing people especially children,’’ she added.
According to ACP Ansah, some of the Police Administration’s interventions to improve welfare include the establishment of regional welfare, a police emergency medical fund, and a police virtual medical center.
ACP Ansah stated that seven new regions had been established to bring policing to the people’s doorsteps.
Dr Dampare asked staff to maintain the service’s image and contribute to the Ghana Police Service’s transformation goal.
He praised the personnel for their commitment to duty and promised them of the Police Administration’s ongoing assistance by providing logistics and fostering their well-being.
DCOP Kwofie indicated in her remarks that crime scene investigations had been centralized to ensure effective operations.
She stated that the Police Administration was in the process of purchasing additional crime kits.
Minister for Interior, Ambrose Dery, has dismissed claims that the government seeks to remove from office, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, as part of its measures to retain power come 2024 elections.
His affirmation comes after a controversial leaked tape gone viral on social media hinted at plans to have the current IGP fired due to his incorruptible posture.
Per portions of the tape, some anonymous individuals expressed concern over the ability of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to break the 8 should Dr Akuffo Dampare remain in office.
“Alhaji, my only problem… this current IGP if we do a mistake and take him to the elections, it will not help us. It will not help us at all and I will not mind if the position is not given to me but that man is changed; because he will not help us, he will not help us at all… he won’t help the party at all.
“I know there are others who are also good for this position, if I don’t get and this man is changed and those people that we think they are our men get I (it is ok)t… Because we need to break this 8. That is important, we need to break the 8… Because I wouldn’t want doctor to become the flagbearer and then we lose the elections… ” a voice was heard saying.
But the Interior Minister has distanced the government from the statement’s made in the leaked tape.
Interacting with the press in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Ambrose Dery indicated that government has been impressed with the work of the current Police administration.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare
According to the minister, the mantra ‘law is a respecter of no persons’ has been personified under the leadership of Dr George Akuffo Dampare.
“We have made a lot of progress. We have a police system that is professional that will arrest you whether you are an MP, Minister. They will arrest you even if you are a police officer,” he said.
Mr Ambrose Dery further indicated that President Akufo-Addo remains committed to providing Ghanaians a security system that treats all equal before the law.
“What the President of this country made clear right back to the manifesto of the election before the first term was that there was a fear syndrome in Ghana and part of the fear syndrome was that people thought that we had a security system that was not across the board. It favoured a class of people in office who were too big to be touched and therefore the tenant of rule of law that we are equal before the law was not tenable.”
“As far as I am concerned. We have made a lot of progress along that line,” he added.
Dr George Akuffo Dampare was sworn in as the 23rd Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service in October 2021.
Meanwhile, Mr Ambrose Dery has stated emphatically that “this government is not going to tamper with 2024 elections.” “Let me make it absolutely clear,” he stressed.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare is conducting visits to police stations in Accra today, Thursday, July 6.
This initiative aims to evaluate the quality of service provided to the public when they seek assistance at police stations.
Accompanying the IGP are members of the Police Management Board. Additionally, he will visit ailing officers during his visits to different stations.
The Police administration has been evaluating the overall security situation in various parts of the country.
As an example, last week, the Central North Regional Commander, DCOP Mr. Emmanuel Teye-Cudjoe, ASP Stella Adjei-Kodom, and ASP Margaret Avornyo conducted a security tour at the Assin Bereku Presby Basic School in the Central Region of Ghana to assess the prevailing security conditions in the area.
A 24-year-old okada rider has been killed in a robbery attack near Nsawam in the Eastern Region.
The victim, Kwame Mensah, had been supporting his family by working in the Nsawam area after completing senior high school.
The gang hired him for a trip to Kwarfokurom and halfway through the journey, they shot him and stole his motorbike.
The grieving mother of the deceased called for justice, and the former Member of Parliament for Ayensuano appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to increase police patrols in the area to protect Okada riders and residents from such attacks.
A security policy expert at the Center for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy (CSDPA), Anthony Acquaye, has called on the Inspector General Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare, to ensure that individuals who impersonated police officers during the Assin North by-election must be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent for others ahead of the 2024 general election.
This, he said in a statement dated June 29, 2023.
According to the statement, the IGP’s commitment to ensuring peace in the by-election led to the deployment of new strategies to ensure that the police take charge of the security of all 99 polling stations in the constituency instead of the political parties.
“It is important to acknowledge the fact that, the security strategic measures such as the band on the use of firearms at or around the polling stations, the tactical worn of police body cameras and the pre-election shared security activities such as the community engagement and health screening implemented in Assin North by-election to occasion a successful and peaceful by-election never came out of a vacuum but rather through determination, commitment and above all the unbiased actions by officers on the grounds coupled with the self-confident and garner credibility of the Inspector General of Police to empower his senior officers to take in charge of all the 99 polling stations in the constituency,” parts of the statement read.
However, the expert Anthony Acquaye, added that the IGP must implement strict measures to deal with the imposters to prevent the repetition of such crimes in the 2024 general election.
“Prevention as they say is better than cure, for this reason am calling on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare to as a matter of fact, ensure that, those persons who deliberately portrayed themselves as officers of his noble institution are brought into book by prosecuting them to strictly serve as deterrent to or prevent others who have intention or planned to commit such crimes going into 2024 general election,” the statement added.
Below is the full statement by the expert
ASSIN NORTH BY – ELECTION : THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (IGP) MUST ENSURE POLICE IMPOSTERS ARRESTED ARE PROSECUTED TO SERVE AS DETERENT TO OTHERS AHEAD OF 2024 GENERAL ELECTION – Security Policy Expert
Congratulations to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the Police Management Board ( POMAB) and the entire Police Service for delivering on their promises to the people of Assin North constituency and Ghanaians at large in ensuring a peaceful by election through the right and prudent strategic security measures put in place to maintain law and order, and to curb the unfortunate disturbances that could have resulted into dreadful election security violence.
It is important to acknowledge the fact that, the security strategic measures such as the band on the use of firearms at or around the polling stations, the tactical wear of police body cameras and the pre-election shared security activities such as community engagement and health screening implemented in Assin North by-election to occasion a successful and peaceful by-election never came out of a vacuum but rather through determination, commitment and above all the unbiased actions by officers on the grounds coupled with the self-confident and garner credibility of the Inspector General of Police to empower his senior officers to take in charge of all the 99 polling stations in the constituency.
With police’s alertness and braveness to arrest persons who portrayed themselves as police officers of the noble police institution, in videos that have gone viral which emanated from the constituency strongly convinced us, as the Center for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy that, the IGP and his men and women have critically studied and analysed the new casual factors of election security violence which dominated clearly in Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections, where party loyalists in the name of national security operatives infiltrated in the constituency with state security cars unnumbered and uniforms without name tags caused mayhem in the full glare of the cameras and professional police officers. Again, the historical antecedents of election security violence of previous by-elections, observable election security violence indicators on the ground, geographical nature of the constituency were all fundamental elements for the formation of the strategy.
Prevention as they say is better than cure, for this reason am calling on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare to as a matter of fact, ensure that, those persons who deliberately portrayed themselves as officers of his noble institution are brought into book by prosecuting them to strictly serve as deterrent to or prevent others who have intention or planned to commit such crimes going into 2024 general election.
Sign Anthony Acquaye ( MA in Security KAIPTC) Security Policy Expert, Center for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy ( CSDPA) 0556783793
Founder and leader of Glorious Word Power Miracles Church International, Rev Bishop Isaac Owusu Bempah, has made a surprisingrevelation by claiming ownership of the voice on a leaked audio tape that went viral earlier this month.
The tape, purported to be him, contained threatening remarks towards the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akufo Dampare, and had received widespread criticism from Ghanaians.
In the audio, some of the menacing statements directed at the IGP included references to the speaker’s arrest and alleged mistreatment in 2021, suggesting it as the motivation behind the threats.
“Maame, tell Dampare that Akufo-Addo is aware of my contributions to his success, and now that I have started making noise, he is feeling the pressure. Tell Dampare that I am saying that he will regret becoming IGP, and tell him I said what I will do to him in Ghana he will regret. Let him know that if it wasn’t for me Akufo-Addo couldn’t have become president.
Tell Dampare that he has met his match, and he will see what I will do to him. If it wasn’t for me, Akufo-Addo wouldn’t have become president, never. …Tell him that I will never forgive him on this earth… Tell Dampare that he will regret his position as IGP,” parts of the audio revealed in the local dialect, Twi.
Following the release of the audio and the subsequent backlash, Rev Owusu Bempah issued a statement denying any knowledge of its creation and refuting the validity of the voice attributed to him. He expressed disbelief that any right-thinking person would boast about committing atrocities or heinous crimes as confidently heard in the audio.
“My attention has been drawn to an audio circulating on social media, alleged to be my voice. I wish to emphatically state that I have no knowledge about the creation of the said audio and I also deny categorically that the voice of the speaker in the audio is mine.
“To the best of my knowledge, I have not at any time spoken with any person, whether on phone or in an interview where I have made any such comments attributed to me. I do not believe that any right-thinking person would proudly go about telling others about atrocities or heinous crimes he/she has committed with such confidence as is heard in the audio,” part of the statement said.
He expressed his strong belief that the audio was concocted by individuals with malicious intentions, seeking to damage his reputation and incite public disaffection towards him.
However, the founder of Glorious Word Power Ministry International has now recanted his earlier submission on the content of the audio. He now says, the voice in the audio is actually his.
During a recent address to his congregation, Rev Owusu Bempah clarified that the portion of the audio implicating the President Akufo-Addoin an alleged murder on the Tema motorway.
“Someone’s car somersaulted on Tema Motorway, ask him if the time I met with Akufo-Addo he was there. Ask him if he knows the relationship I have with Akufo-Addo, “ the voice in the audio said.
Rev Owusu however said, “The voice that I went with Nana Addo to commit murder is not my voice, but the voice about the IGP Dampare is mine. After our arrest, I made some comments about the treatment I received. I am not above the law and the law must deal with me when I am found guilty.”
Rev Owusu Bempah also expressed concern over the current focus on statements he made about two years ago, emphasizing that those remarks were made during a time when he was dealing with his arrest. He clarified that he currently harbours no ill feelings towards the IGP.
He recounted the distressing details of his arrest and the mistreatment he endured at the hospital while still under arrest.
“You cannot take the law and abuse the person. That I be handcuffed when there is a drip on me. The handcuff is placed where the drip is, I have been cut by the handcuffs, and I am bleeding. I am seeking answers and the officer is nonchalant, aggravating my pain with the handcuffs. He says it is ordered from above.
“The car that came with eight armed and hooded people had not been addressed, at the time, I spoke out of pain and poured my heart out to whoever came to me, I did not understand why I had to be treated like an animal,” he lamented.
Rev Owusu Bempah was arrested on September 12, 2021, by the Accra Regional Police Command for allegedly creating and circulating multiple videos that contained threats, brandishing of weapons and assault on police personnel.
The arrest followed a heated confrontation between Rev Owusu Bempah and a converted fetish priestess, Nana Agradaa, over the weekend. Rev Owusu Bempah and some of his followers reportedly stormed the premises of Nana Agradaa and threatened her with guns.
Rev Owusu Bempah and three other suspects, namely Michael Boateng, Frederick Ohene and Nathaniel Agyekum, were arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court on September 13, 2021. They pleaded not guilty to charges including disturbing public peace, offensive conduct conducive to breach of peace, threat of death and assault of public officers.
Rev Owusu Bempah fell ill on September 13, 2021, while in police custody and was taken to the Police Hospital for treatment. He spent two hours at the hospital before being discharged and returned to the cells.
He later claimed that he was maltreated by the police and handcuffed to his hospital bed.
Founder and leader of Glorious Word and Power Ministry International, Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah, has distanced himself from a leaked audio tape that implicates him and President Akufo-Addo of Ghana in a murder conspiracy.
In mid-June, a social media audio tape surfaced, allegedly featuring Prophet Owusu Bempah’s voice, making damning revelations about President Akufo-Addo, the 2016 general elections, and issuing a strong warning to Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
The audio tape claimed that some people died or suffered accidents and amputations as part of a deliberate plot for President Akufo-Addo to assume power.
“Let him know that if it wasn’t for me Akufo-Addo couldn’t have become president. Tell him because Akufo-Addo became president, someone’s leg has been amputated… Someone’s car somersaulted on Tema Motorway, ask him if the time I met with Akufo-Addo he was there. Ask him if he knows the relationship I have with Akufo-Addo.
“Because of Akufo-Addo, a young guy named Albert who gathered NPP supporters to approach me had his car somersaulted on the Tema Motorway. It was so severe that they had to cut the car before retrieving his body,” a part of the audio said.
Addressing the Tema Motorway incident, Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah in his latest sermon, described the claim as spurious.
The man of God stated that “The part of the audio that indicated that I took President Akufo-Addo to Tema to kill someone is false. It is not my voice.”
Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah, however, acknowledged that “I was the one who made the remarks regarding the IGP.”
In the said audio tape, Prophet Owusu Bempah noted that Dr Akuffo Dampare would deeply regret assuming the position of IGP and hinted at retaliating for the alleged mistreatment during his arrest and an alleged plot to assassinate him.
“Let him know that the two of us cannot be contained in Ghana. And tell him that I will show him that I made Akufo-Addo a sitting president before he was appointed as the IGP. Also, inform him that he cannot kill me or harm me in any way. Let him joke around, and he will see what I am capable of.”
“Tell him that I will never forgive him on this earth… the way he and Victor Kusi Boateng were coming to kill me in Kumasi. I have all the information. So, I am giving you this message. Inform him that I have already told Ernest Owusu Bempah and Chairman Wontumi. Chairman Wontumi doesn’t even pick up my calls. If you don’t pass on this message to Dampare, I will be disappointed in you. Tell Dampare that he will regret his position as IGP,” he added.
Background
Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah was arrested on September 12, 2021, with four accomplices by the Ghana Police Service.
He was arrested for allegedly storming the home of converted fetish priestess Nana Agradaa, now referred to as Evangelist Patricia.
He was charged with offensive conduct conducive to breach of peace, threat of death, and assault of public officers.
He was later granted a GH¢200,000 bail on health grounds on September 15, 2021, with two sureties.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has arrived in Assin North to oversee the security preparations for the upcoming by-election set to take place on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
During his visit, Dr. Dampare is scheduled to meet with the leadership of both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the governing party and the main opposition party, respectively.
The primary objective of these meetings is to address any security concerns and ensure that both political parties maintain control over their supporters. Dr. Dampare, known for his commitment to maintaining peace during previous elections such as the Kumawu by-election, will advise both parties against engaging in any activities that could disrupt the peace and stability of the area.
The Assin North by-election was triggered after parliament notified the Electoral Commission of the vacant seat.
This decision followed a ruling by the Supreme Court, which found that the Electoral Commission had violated the constitution by allowing Mr. Quayson to contest the 2020 parliamentary elections without proving that he had renounced his Canadian citizenship.
As a result, the court nullified Mr. Quayson’s election, deeming it unconstitutional and invalid, including his swearing-in ceremony.
In the upcoming by-election, the NDC is supporting Mr. Quayson as their candidate, while the NPP in Assin North has selected Charles Opoku as their candidate.
With the election scheduled for tomorrow, the presence of the Inspector General of Police underscores the commitment to ensuring a peaceful and orderly electoral process.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare has assured that the perpetrators of the violent assault against a young Fulani lady in a viral video would be brought to book.
The IGP made the assurance in a conference phone call with the President of the National Council for Fulani Chiefs, Alhaji Iddrisu Mohammed Bingle, and Security Expert, Adib Saani.
He said that his commanders were on the ground and working assiduously to apprehend the perpetrators. He also called for calm and appealed to the Fulani leadership to talk to their people to maintain cool heads and trust the enforcement to deliver.
Dr. Dampare added that anyone with information should not hesitate to contact the police as that helps in the investigations and swift arrest of suspects.
The IGP reiterated the police administration’s commitment to work closely with the Fulani community in Ghana to ensure safety for all.
On the other side of the call, the President of the National Council for Fulani Chiefs, Alhaji Iddrisu Mohammed Bingle thanked the IGP for taking a keen interest in the matter and assured that there wouldn’t be any reprisals.
Adib Saani, Security Expert also thanked the IGP and said that he was happy state authorities have shown seriousness in bringing closure to this matter. He said that his contacts on the ground are doing their best to locate the victim and get her to report to the police as many such instances had gone without any form of report done to the police.
The Media Coalition Against Galamsey(MCAG) has expressed frustration over what they perceive to be a lack of progress in the prosecution of the Akonta Mining Limited directors.
MCAG sent two petitions to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare in January 2023, to carry out swift investigations into the alleged illegal mining activities by Akonta Mining owned by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako.
MCAG in a statement said its team met with senior officials of the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) on Thursday, June 8, 2023, to discuss the progress of the investigation into Akonta Mining Limited’s mining activities in the Tano Nmira Forest Reserves.
The MCAG in the statement said it was informed that investigations were ongoing, but the group expressed disappointment that the directors of Akonta Mining Limited had not yet been prosecuted, despite the clear evidence of their alleged wrongdoing.
MCAG thus called on the CID to expedite the prosecution of the directors of the company to ensure that they are brought to justice.
“It was made known during the meeting that investigations were ongoing into the activities of Akonta Mining Limited. The delegation from the MCAG was appreciative of the work being carried out by the CID. We, however, expressed our frustration at the seeming lack of action in the prosecution of the director(s) of Akonta Mining Ltd, in the face of clear evidence (including what we added to our petition and statement to the Police) of they having breached the Minerals & Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and prayed that the needed urgency be applied for the speedy prosecution of the director(s) of Akonta Mining Ltd since there was ample evidence available for their prosecution,” the group added in a statement.
The MCAG has also called on all well-meaning Ghanaiansto join in the fight against illegal mining.
“There is and can be no conceivable justification for illegal mining to continue in Ghana,” said the MCAG in a statement.
“We urge all Ghanaians to join us in the fight to save our water bodies and preserve our environment for current and future generations.”
Illegal mining is a major environmental and economic problem in Ghana. It has led to the destruction of water bodies, the displacement of people, and the loss of biodiversity.
The MCAG is a coalition of media organizations that are committed to fighting illegal mining in Ghana.
MCAG has been at the forefront of the campaign to raise awareness of the problem and to hold those responsible to account.
The Ghana Police Service has provided an assurance that it will soon release the full findings of the investigations into the shooting and killing of a 20-year-old man by a police officer in Wa, the capital of the Upper West region.
During a visit to the family of the deceased on Friday, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, expressed his condolences and pledged to make the investigation results public.
Accompanied by other high-ranking police officials, the IGP granted the family until mid-June of this year to disclose the outcome of the investigations.
The victim, identified as Abubakari Shahid, was an Arabic student who was allegedly shot and killed by the police on March 9.
The police suspected him of being an armed robber, a claim that was fiercely rejected by aggrieved family members.
They staged protests at the Upper West Regional Police Headquarters and the Regional Coordinating Council, demanding an apology and a thorough investigation into the incident.
Responding promptly, the IGP dispatched a delegation to console the bereaved family and assure them that the matter was being thoroughly investigated. The visit by IGP Dampare occurred nearly three months after the tragic incident took place.
The commitment by the Ghana Police Service to disclose the investigation findings is an important step toward transparency and accountability.
It is hoped that the release of the results will provide clarity and closure for the grieving family and contribute to maintaining trust between the police and the community.
The National Organiser of the largest opposition NDC, Joseph Yamin, has praised the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare for delivering on his promises about security matters in the Kumawu by-election.
According to him, the IGP on the eve of the Kumawu election gave assurances in a meeting that no other security agency will be involved in the election as has been the practice in other previous by-elections and delivered.
“Let me first commend the police for their professionalism. Going into the election my party knew I didn’t believe we should put our hopes in the police. Even at the meeting with them before the polls, I still didn’t pay attention. At the meeting, I asked the IGP what the military involvement in the election will be as has been the case in previous by-elections like Ayawaso and other places and he gave us the assurances that he has enough men and logistics at Kumawu and so he wouldn’t need other security agencies and true to his words he delivered on that.
“We didn’t see the military or the national security at Kumawu, it was the Police fully in charge. So today it will be unfair for me not to commend the IGP. He proved that indeed he wants the police to be the best institution in Ghana.”
He commented in an interview on Kumasi-based Hello Fm on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Ernest Yaw Annim won the Kumawu by-election with over 70 percent of the valid votes cast.
The votes were collated by the Electoral Commission (EC) and declared Wednesday night with Ernest Yaw Annim winning with 15,264 votes which represented 70.91 percent.
TheInspector General of Police(IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has scheduled a meeting with all participating parties in the upcoming by-election in Kumawu, Ashanti region.
The IGP’s meeting with the parties ahead of the Kumawu by-election is scheduled to happen at the District Police Command on Monday May 22, 2023 in the morning.
Dr. Dampare had earlier touched base with the Police deployment in the area over the weekend. He assessed the security preparedness ahead of the Tuesday May 23, 2023 polls.
He also interacted with the public, walk through the street and assess the general security ahead of the upcoming KumawuConstituency by-election.
The by-election follows the death of the MP for the constituency who will be buried on Saturday.
The leadership of the NDC and new NPP have been in the constituency supporting their various candidates.
The Inspector-General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare, was amazed after a watching a stage play in tribute of Ghanaian actor and the Commercial Manager of GhanaWeb, Ekow Blankson.
The recent staging of “A Detective Calls” at the National Theatre was not only a showcase of talent but also a touching tribute to the late Ekow Blankson.
After the staging of the classic George Quaye adaptation of J.B Priestly’s “An Inspector Calls,” in honor of the late Ekow Blankson the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo-Dampari promised a protocol slot for any member of Ekow Blankson’s family willing to join the Ghana Police Service at the next police recruitment.
The play featured a stellar cast, including Fred Amugi, Akofa Edjeani, Jackie Ankrah, Naa Ashorkor, Fiifi Coleman, Roland Adom, Andrew Tandoh Adote, and many more. The stage set up was rich, lavish, and relevant to the status of Mr. Osei Poku, one of the play’s central characters played by Roland Adom of Charterhouse Ghana.
The attendance at all four showings was impressive, with some very important people in attendance, including the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Heads of Business, religious institutions, diasporans, and many more.
However, the promise made by the IGP was the highlight of the night during post-event conversations.
The protocol slot promised to any member of Ekow Blankson’s family at the next police recruitment is a fitting tribute to his memory. The promise also highlights the IGP’s commitment to honoring fallen Ghanaian heroes and their families. It is a noble gesture that will go a long way in providing support and recognition to the family of Ekow Blankson.
Overall, “A Detective Calls” was a touching tribute to Ekow Blankson and a celebration of talent and creativity in Ghana’s arts industry. The promise made by the IGP will ensure that his legacy lives on and that his family receives the recognition they deserve.
A security analyst has accused Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector-General of Police, with establishing a team of Ghana Police Service officers known as the “Dampare Boys.”
Emmanuel Mawanye Kotin, who is also the Executive Director of African Center for Security and Counterterrorism, said these special officers do not respect their seniors and do not take orders from any of their line commanders except Dr Akuffo Dampare.
He said the situation has dampened the spirit of many senior officers, leading to disillusionment among the top hierarchy.
Mr Kotin made this known on TV3 on Tuesday, April 25 while speaking about the alleged shooting of a lady, 26, in Adum, Kumasi by an Inspector with a service rifle.
The security analyst said the so-called Dampare Boys are quickly promoted as against the very regimen of the Service.
He disclosed that most of the Dampare Boys have been promoted as Inspectors.
He said the situation should be questioned “whether under the law the IGP has the right to create such a body”.
According to Mr Kotin, senior officers who are against this group of officers have been cowed into silence as “they are afraid to talk”.
He called onParliamentto summon the IGP to answer questions on this breed of officers he is keeping in the Service.
A leaked ‘wireless message’ making rounds on social media indicates that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare instructed its regional commanders to ensure that no official of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is allowed into any police facility under their jurisdiction for inspection of electrical connections or any other activity.
A leaked police wireless message shared on Twitter by Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a convener for the #FixTheCountry Movement, which contained that said order, indicated that the order was from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, and must be adhered to religiously.
It was also stated in the wireless message that a letter will be given to the ECG indicating when their officers are to visit police facilities for their inspections and other activities.
“INGPOL DIRECTS ALL REGIONAL COMMANDERS SHOULD NOT ALLOW ANY ECG OFFICIALS INTO POLICE FACILITIES WITHIN YOUR JURISDICTIONS
“A TEMPLATE LETTER OF INVITATION TO FORMALLY INVITE ECG OFFICIALS TO UNDERTAKE INSPECTION, REVIEW OF CONNECTIONS, RECTIFICATION OF IRREGULARITIES AND INSTALLATION OF BULK METRES FOLLOWS.
“DIV./DIS/UNIT COMMANDERS SHOULD ENSURE STRICT COMPLIANCE AND REPORT ANY SUCH CASE TO REGIONAL COMMAND IMMEDIATELY FOR REDRESS. TREAT AS URGENT,” parts of the message read.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Mahama, has indicated that the next major exercise, after his outfit’s revenue mobilisation drive, is clamping down on illegal connections in the country.
According to him, the company will be going from house to house and business to business to check for illegal connections and any entity found culpable will face the full rigours of the law, asaaseradio.com reports.
“Those who are involved in illegal connections, we’re giving you one month head start to correct it because I’m not charging you with bypass, I’m charging you with theft, you’ve stolen,” Samuel Mahama is quoted to have said on the Asaase Breakfast Show.
The ECG disconnected power to parts of the Osu Police Barracks because of an illegal connection to the national grid this April.
The task force from the ECG discovered the illegal connections on three blocks of the barracks, which had connected power directly without a meter. The illegal connections were discovered on the ECG’s usual rounds to recover monies owed by customers and disconnected.
The manager in charge of external communications at ECG, Laila Abubakarim, who was part of the team that visited the barracks, said that they had to disconnect power to the three blocks because of the illegality.
“Since it’s an illegal connection, we have the first right to disconnect before we deal with issues. The Ghana police would have to come to ECG where a bill will be generated for them covering a period of 12 months.
“The administration block also owes, but due to security implications, we’ve spared that facility while we discuss further the amount involved. We consider the police accommodation facilities (blocks) a general facility hence the disconnection,” she said.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare has been asked to resign for to ensure that galamsey is
Former Presidential staffer and political commentator Mr. P.V Jantuah Dadson is calling for the resignation of the Inspector General of the Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare for failing in the fight against illegal mining otherwise known as galamsey.
According to him, the Ghana Police Service is part of the government’s organization in the fight against galamsey after its officers were sent to various parts of the country to end the menace.
“On the issue of the galamsey fight, don’t you think it would be good for the IGP if he resigns from office?” Mr. PV Jantuah asked.
Mr. PV Jantuah’s calls were in reaction to a viral video that saw an officer begging a civilian for his life in a galamsey community.
The Ghana Police Service in a statement revealed they arrested four members of the gang they accused of attacking the police but the suspects also claimed the uniformed officers were extorting money from galamsey sites in Axim, a community in the Western Region.
The police also claimed the men seen in the video were robbers.
However, the leader of the gang, Kwame Asare Ato who escaped the police arrest has denied the allegation saying they are not robbers as claimed by the state security.
He also revealed that his gang worked in the area with the District Police Command in extorting money from miners and went further to reveal that, the gun he used in his operation was given to him by the police CID in the district.
Meanwhile, Mr PV Jatuah Dadson insisted that the District Police Commander of Axim should be sanctioned.
“Where did the incident happen, Axim; the IGP together with the District Police Commander should have gone home by now. The two police officers sighted in the video should have also appeared in court by now,” he said.
Mr PV Jantuah also wondered how Kwame Asare Ato the gang leader was able to seize guns and other items from the police.
He noted that the police could not do anything to save themselves from being humiliated because of the intentions they had and the fact that they have already been compromised.
The Inspector General of Police has formed two independent committees to investigate the killing of 27-year-old Abu-Bakr Shahid, who was allegedly slain by the Police Anti-Robbery Unitin Wa, according to the Director General of Police in charge of administration, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
Speaking at Wa as a leader of the Police delegation sent by theIGP to commiserate with the family of Shahid, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno assured the family that the Police administration is leaving no stone unturned in their bid to get to the truth of the matter
Abu-Bakr Shahid was allegedly shot dead by the Police on Wednesday, March 8 on suspicion of being an armed robber.
The incident sparked a protest in Wa by members of his family, friends and residents of Dondoli where he hails from.
The family has strenuously denied the Police’s assertion and are calling for justice for him.
The member of parliament for Wa Central, Rashid Pelpuo, has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare to launch a comprehensive investigation into the assassination of a middle-aged man by an anti-robbery team in Wa.
The family of the dead has given up on their demand that the police apologize unconditionally for incorrectly classifying the deceased as an armed robber after meeting with IGP.
According to the family, the victim, Abubakari Shahid, was a law-abiding citizen who never engaged in any robbery, contrary to what the police claim.
In an interview with Citi News, the Wa Central legislator stated that the police must refrain from attacking his constituents.
“We are very sad about what has happened. I want to urge the police through the IGP to call on his people to avoid shooting at our people, apologize to the family for labelling their relative as an armed robber and do the necessary thing.”
Many are not convinced by explanations given by the anti-robbery unit of the Upper West Regional Police Command for the killing of the resident of Dondoli, a suburb of Wa.
The deceased, Abubakar Shahban is reported to have been killed by the police anti-robbery taskforce over his alleged connection to a robbery gang that has been operating within Wa and its environs.
Family of the deceased said he left home on March 8 at about 8:00 pm to visit a friend but did not return until they were informed of his murder on March 9.
Some residents of Wa on Friday besieged the Regional Coordinating Council and demanded the release of the remains of the deceased and demanded he is cleared of the robbery allegations.
The family, at a press conference on Monday [March 13], threatened to take legal action should the police fail to apologize to them for killing and tagging Abubakar Shahid as a robber.
But a spokesperson for the family, Mohammed Tamim, in a Citi News interview said they have decided to remain calm, trusting that investigations will exonerate their late brother.
Member of Parliament for Ashaimam,Ernest Norgbey has stated that the Inspector General of Police, COP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, led a night operation in Ashaiman to apprehend some of the suspects in the death of Sherrif Imoro.
The young soldier was killed at dawn on March 4, 2023, after he is said to have sought permission from a training course he was attending in Accra, to visit his mother at Ashaiman.
Eventually, the police arrested six people connected to the crime.
Expressing his gratitude to the IGP for swiftly arresting the key suspects in the case, Ernest Dogbey said that the police boss has proven to be on top of security by achieving what the soldiers could not attain with their brutal invasion of Ashaiman.
He further explained that the IGP was in the area throughout the night and on the dawn of Friday, March 10, 2023, to ensure that the suspects were arrested.
This, the MP explained, demonstrated the commitment of the IGP in bringing the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book and also towards the fight against crime in the country in general.
“The IGP was in the area throughout the night and at the dawn of Friday, March 10, 2023, to ensure that the suspects were arrested,” he said in an interview on JoyNews and monitored by GhanaWeb.
The arrest of the key suspects in the murder of Trooper Sherrif Imoro has brought up concerns about the brutalities of military personnel on some residents of Ashaiman in the aftermath of the killing of the young soldier.
The action, as was explained in a subsequent press release by the Directorate of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, was sanctioned by the military High Command.
Meanwhile, a non-governmental organization, Peace Watch Ghana, which is dedicated to the fighting of crime and promotion of safety and security in the country, also urged officers of the Ghana Police Service to support the IGP to deliver more on his mandate.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Madam Diana Yonkopa Daniels, called on the officers to demonstrate selflessness to complement the vision the IGP has for the country.
President Akufo-Addo has been petitioned to dismiss Inspector-General of Police.
The petition led by FX Law and Associates led by Member of Parliament for Madina, Lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu has petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to immediately remove Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as Inspector General of Police (IGP).
This is in relation to the IGP’s inaction according to Mr Sosu with regard to the murder of Shadrack Arloo by a police officer and a private security man at the West Hills Mall on 30th January 2023.
Mr Sosu and some MPs including the Family of the late Shadrack Arloo had on the first of February, 2023 petitioned the IGP to investigate and arrest police officers involved in the said case.
However, the seven-day ultimatum given by the family and the lawyer was not met by the Police.
FX Law and Associates, thus, wants the IGP fired for negligence.
The law firm is also demanding an investigation into the murder to prevent future recurrence.
I find the IGP’s vision and approach to leading the Police very inspiring. We may all agree that the level of professionalism has appreciated and public confidence has been greatly bolstered.
The police, a sworn friend of the public, is with the mandate of preventing and detecting crime, apprehending offenders, maintaining public order and safety of persons and properties.
The National Road Safety Commission (N.R.S.C), recorded about 16% decline in road accidents as of August 2022 in comparison to 2021.I am of the view that the Police,The Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) and other agents will not relent and rather remain consistent in their efforts so that this year may record an unprecedented decline in road accidents.
Rapid urbanization has come with traffic overload on our roads which has added up to the stress of living in our cities.Indeed, necessity is the mother of all inventions and in our ingenuity,we have seen a significant preference for motorbikes (okada) and tricycles as means of mobility. This service may have helped in the fluidity of people but has also intensified the reckless driving or riding on our roads.There’s been a willful and carefree disregard for the safety of persons or property generally.
The Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2020, is against dangerous, reckless and inconsiderate driving.Stunts such as wheelies, stoppies, and burnouts on public roads may be met with stiff punishments.
The Road Traffic Regulations Regulation 74(3) of L.I. 2180 of the Act provides that a siren may be fitted as a warning appliance and used on certain categories of motor vehicles. These categories include government vehicles used for official purposes by the Head of State.Although other public office holders may not have been prescribed,it has become a norm to see people of high repute move around accompanied by sirens and dispatch riders.I will like to reserve that subject for another day.
I have watched the police dispatch riders make stunts admirably on independence day celebrations and more.We may all find it entertaining at such a setting. However,I am alarmed when I watch them deploy such antics on our roads.As much as this is a dangerous use of the road,it is a paradox and contradiction to the mandate of the police.As they are authorized to protect life and property,they can’t be an accessory to the inverse of their mandate.
What is the point in arresting a young man from Nima for reckless motor bike riding or perhaps doing wheelies and stoppies when police dispatch riders are on our roads flipping their bikes dangerously and zigzagging.Thet have personally been involved in accidents in times past. How helpful is these stunts in helping the Police to achieve it’s fundamental role and indispensable mandate? I will be glad to be furnished with such valuable information. Long live mother Ghana.
Source: Dumenu Charles Selorm
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
The government’s SIM re-registration initiative, according to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare, has aided in efforts to combat cybercrime in the nation.
The IGP said the blocking of the unregistered SIMs has helped in defining the space to identify such fraudsters for their subsequent arrest.
Speaking at the Public Accounts Committee hearings, the IGP assured of efforts to deal with scammers within the cyberspace.
“The challenge used to be the case where we had people walking to any service provider and getting a SIM card registered. With the registration of the numbers and the blocking of all the numbers which are unregistered, there is a difficulty for these people [scammers] to continue with their operations. So the registration has helped us in defining the space to get these people arrested.”
The government said the re-registration of SIM cards is to aid in the monitoring and tracking of persons who use mobile phones for criminal activities.
The move is also to check the increasing rate of cybercrime activities in the country.
Prof. Charles Marfo, Provost of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s (KNUST) College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CoHSS), has echoed the clarion call for the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare to be entrusted with the fight against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey in the country, Purefmonline.com reports.
The former President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) in an interview with Kwame Adinkrah on Kumasi-based Pure FM stated that the IGP has shown competence through his high-class tactical abilities and has over the period exerted the qualities needed to garner gains concerning the leadership responsibilities required to combat the galamsey menace.
According to him, Government’s efforts to suppress galamsey activities so far do fall short of rewards and punishments modalities which he describes as a key ingredient to sustain the fight.
He stated that the IGP has matured with such potential to tighten the loopholes and gaps in the galamsey fight processes.
“Kwame, the last time, I heard you in one of the viral videos recommending the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as the man befitting for the galamsey fight job. I think so too.
Let us look at this, for instance, he was denigrated for introducing the system where competent relatives replace officers who die in the line of duty, but Kwame, what has been the overall feedback and the attitude of our officers after this system was introduced?
These are the rewards and punishments I am talking about. When I commit myself to the nation and I am gone, what happens to my family?”
“We need a formidable system to cater for rewards, benefits or emoluments of front liners (security personnel) commissioned to these illegal mining areas.
Such modalities will ingrain patriotism and uncompromising commitment toward the national course.
This and many more I think Dampare is likely to bring on board if he’s left to lead the charge in the galamsey fight.”
“The illegal mining sector has tendencies to corrupt those security officers ordained to fight galamsey. Without any modalities, when these military officers are pushed into the forests and see these miners living lavishly, what do we expect them to do?” He quizzed.
The KNUST CoHSS Provost further re-echoed his description of Dr. Dampare as a brilliant policy maker, referring to his latest instituted rewarding systems in the Police Service; an emergency medical fund and replacement of officers who die in the line of duty with the deceased qualified family member into the Police force.
Such tactful packages, according to him, will eliminate diabolic thoughts questioning the essence of committing oneself to the success of a national need.
Residents of Wa Municipality in the Upper West Region have been living in fear with a rising spate of murders targeting private security officers.
The number of victims is inching towards a dozen, with the most recent having been discovered on Tuesday, September 20.
In five months, ten lives have been lost in bizarre circumstances to ‘serial killers‘ in the region.
Last Friday, some residents showed up in their numbers at the Technical Institute to protest the security situation in Wa.
Out of the ten people that have lost their lives, only three bodies have been found.
The police have ramped up efforts to arrest the situation and to assure the population of adequate security, which effort has seen the Inspector-General of Police, visit the region.
Body of latest victim discovered
The most recent victim of the killings was found near the Wa Senior High School according to a September 20 statement issued by the Upper West Regional Police Command.
According to the details, the yet-to-be-identified body was discovered by the special purpose intelligence and investigation team during surveillance on Monday, 19th September 2022.
This comes after one other body was uncovered by police at Bahamu during police surveillance on the same day.
The body has since been retrieved and deposited at the Regional Hospital morgue awaiting autopsy by a pathologist from the police hospital and a team of experts in Accra.
Police place GHC100,000 bounty on killers
The police has meanwhile placed a 100K bounty for information on the killings.
In a statement, the police said, “We continue to urge anyone with credible information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators to come forward and share with the Police. In line with this, a reward of GHC100,000 has been set aside for anyone who provides information in that regard”.
The police has however assured that they are working hard to bring the perpetrators to book.
“The police continue to maintain law, order and security in the Wa municipality and surrounding communities,” the statement issued on Monday, September 19, 2022 said.
“We wish to assure residents of the Wa municipality and its environs that the special intelligence and investigation teams will continue to work around the clock with assistance from the affected communities to bring the perpetrators to face justice. Operations and combat teams have also saturated the area to ensure the safety and security of all,” the statement added.
Wa Central MP concerned
Wa Central Member of Parliament, Rashid Pelpuo, has disclosed that the latest killings that had bedeviled the Upper West Regional capital was ritualistic in nature.
Whiles lamenting the growing distress that the killings was having on his constituents, Pelpuo said there was the need for police to step up intelligence to curb the situation.
He said perpetrators are after their victims for ritual purposes. “They are very ritualistic from what we have seen so far,” he said in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.
“In the case of today’s killing, the body was cut open, heart and kidneys removed, testes are also taken. I don’t know what they do with it, it is very terrible, terrible,” he added.
Police confirm arrest of prime suspect with help of locals
Probe into the killings received a major boost after Police apprehended a prime suspect on Monday, September 19.
The arrest of Kankani Adongo was said to have taken place through the collaboration of the locals and the Police at Bamahu, a community in the municipality.
The locals who reportedly spotted the suspect, apprehended him and then took him to the palace of the Paramount Chief of the Wala Traditional Area who in turn informed the Police about the arrest of the suspect.
Head of the Public Affairs unit of the Regional Police Command, Chief Inspector Gideon Ohene Boateng in a statement on Monday said: “The Police have arrested one person believed to be the prime suspect behind the Wa murder case.
“Suspect Kankani Adongo, was arrested on 19th September, 2022 at Bamahu, a suburb of Wa after extensive collaboration between the Police and community search parties.
“Suspect is in custody and will be arraigned before the court to face justice,” the statement read in part.
IGP visits Wa
The Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, on Monday, September 19 stormed the region to get first-hand information on the developments.
Speaking to the press afterwards, the police chief reiterated the Service’s commitment in safeguarding the peace of the area adding that, the investigations were being carried out alongside other security agencies.
“We want to assure you that we’ll do all what we can to ensure that Wa Municipality and its environs is peaceful for all of you. The Police as the lead internal security agency, is committed, very committed in working with the other security agencies that we’re already working with on the ground because the REGSEC includes all the security agencies on the ground and they’re the people who have been working on it until we also brought people from outside to come and support them. So all the security agencies are already part of the work we are doing.”
Interior Minister calls for calm, cooperation
Hon. Ambrose Dery, the Interior Minister and Member of Parliament for Nandom, while assuring that the security agencies were in control of the situation admonished the locals to limit their contribution of the investigations on providing relevant information to the Police rather than seeking to usurp the authority of the officers.
“The security agencies, the Ghana Police is in control of the situation. They, led by the IGP will investigate whatever has happened in the past and all. What I’m assuring the Wa Naa is that, the security agencies so far are up to the task and we believe we’ll support them to do their work. It’s in their domain of investigating crime.
“But I did make it clear that in all these matters, the policy is for the rule of law to be enforced. If you have any information, you surrender and give it to the security agencies to use.
“You do not resort to self-help or you usurp the role of the security agencies. That we have asked the Chief to thank the community for their passion to help, for the information that they have been giving and continue to give.
“They would leave the real work to the Police. Only give them the information, don’t attack anybody, because if you attack anybody, you yourself will be a subject of investigations,” the minister warned.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, is in Wa of the Upper West Region today, September 19, 2022.
Mr Dampare’s visit comes in response to the most recent purported claims of murders and disappearances in Wa.
The IGP was accompanied with other top officers, additionally, his visit comes after police in Wa’s “Napogi-ba Kolee” expansion uncovered a body buried in a shallow grave.
The deceased identified as Seidu Dakpuli is the latest security personnel who went missing two days ago.
Some body parts are said to be missing after the exercise.
This comes days after angry youth in the area massed up on the streets and burnt tyres protesting the unexplained killings.
The IGP’s visit is expected to boost Police morale and also assure the citizenry of the readiness of the law enforcement agency to protect them.
Apart from the IGP’s presence, the Police administration has also assured the people of the Wa and its environs that it has taken cognizance of their security concerns and has, therefore, put in place measures to support the Regional Police Command to beef up security to ensure the safety of all persons in the Metropolis.
In this regard, special purpose investigation and intelligence teams as well as additional police visibility and crime combat teams have been deployed to Wa under the leadership of the Director-General of Operations.
The Police reiterated its pledge to the public that they will continue to work towards ensuring the safety and security of all persons across the country.
On Friday, September 16, 2022, a colorful ceremony conducted in the regional capital of Koforidua saw the graduation of 171 general police recruits from the Koforidua Police Training School in the Eastern Region.
The recruits had six months of training in various police training regimes including swimming and riding a motorbike.
The passing out of the general recruits forms part of the total number 1, 372 that passed out last Friday nationwide.
Awards were presented to deserving recruits while Mr Solomon Martey picked the overall best general recruit for the second batch of recruits passed out in 2022.
Speaking as the review officer for the passing out ceremony, Commissioner Of Police(COP) Madam Habiba Akyere Twumasi Sarpong, the Director–General, Welfare at the Police Headquarters in Accra appealed to the recruits to be ambassadors of the modern police training modules to help deal with current crime trends in the country.
She gave the assurance that the police administration under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akufo-Dampare is ready to deal with any challenges likely to threaten the peace of the country.
He called on the recruits to ensure the human rights of the members of the public.
She reminded them to show some civility when dealing with the general public.
She said this batch of recruits has been trained in disaster management, crowd control and high-risk operations.
‘As part of the training police regime, recruits were sent on attachments to experience practical simulation exercises, she revealed.
She explained that these are all part of the measures by the IGP to revitalize the police and its visibility exercises.
This is to prepare personnel to respond to the acts of terrorism adequately and to deal with any eventuality, she maintained.
The current police hierarchy recognizes the role of the public and to foster a good relationship with the public is ensuring mater servant relationship,she told the recruits.
The ceremony was supervised by the regional Commander DCOP Anderson Fosu -Ackaah
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has invited the organisers of the much-talked-about three-day demonstration with arms at the forecourt of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
At an earlier press conference held in Accra, the organisers asked the police to allow them to carry their own registered weapons during their demonstration over some injustices in the country.
The organisers in demand to the police argued that all weapons held by demonstrators or by the contracted security personnel would be for personal protection only, and all weapons will be duly licensed in accordance with the Arms and Ammunitions Act, 1972(NRCD).
However, the police administration last week secured an injunction restraining the demonstrators from embarking on their June 4, 2022, demonstrations.
Two members of the group under the name Arise Ghana, Mr. Mensah Thompson and Mr. Listowell Nana Opoku, respectively, took to the Ghana Yensom morning show hosted by the sit-in host, Odehyeeba Kofi Essuman on Monday, June 6, 2022, to announce the invitation extended to the leadership of the group by the IGP.
According to them, they are prepared to meet with the IGP to hear what the police have in stock for members of the group over the decision to demonstrate.
“As a group, we are going to meet him (the IGP) to hear what he has to tell us in our quest to march against the numerous injustices under the leadership of the governing New Patriotic Party led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,†they said.
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has commended the Ghana Police Service for its “high visibility” on the roads during this year’s Easter season and festivities.
In a statement signed by the Acting Director-General of the Authority, David Osafo Adonteng, the NRSA admitted that the deployment of police patrol teams at vantage points to maintain law and order was remarkable.
“Even more remarkable was the traffic management duties on the entire road networks within the country, especially, along the Accra-Nkawkaw-Kumasi highway and the Kwahu townships of Mpreaso, Nkwatia, Atibie and Abetifi.
“These actions by the Police were outstanding and significantly supported the public education and regulation activities of the Authority,†the statement said.
It added that it also took the successful cooperation between the NRSA and the police to ensure that the Easter festivities were without too many incidences on the roads.
“The effective collaboration between the NRSA and the Ghana Police Service ensured better compliance of road traffic regulations and road safety standards during the Easter season.
“Although the NRSA and the Ghana Police Service are still analyzing the road crash data collected during the just-ended festive period, preliminary findings indicate low cases of crashes and casualties,†it added.
The NRSA therefore commended the Inspector General of Police, COP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, and his men for the wonderful work they did.
“The NRSA commends the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, for his ground-breaking ideas in combatting road traffic crashes through technology and the recently launched Police Action Against Rider Indiscipline (PAARi) and the Public Invincible Eye (PIE) operations which we at the Authority consider laudable strategies and assure the JGP of our full support and cooperation for such initiatives.
“The Authority’s ongoing flagship programme “Stay Alive” Road Safety Campaign with the Media is increasingly improving road safety awareness and the sustainability of these vigorous enforcement actions by the Police as witnessed during the Easter will add more to ensure mass effect in the fight to clamp down on indiscipline among road users especially acts of excessive speeding, wrongful overtaking, crossing red-lights and abandoning of disabled vehicles on the road, among others,†it said.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has told Police personnel that they are servants who are to serve the community they are posted to and not to lord over and scare the people.
He noted that the Police is poised to protect lives and property and enhance the citizenry’s safety and security.
He further called for support from all and sundry to help the Police to deliver on its mandate since security is a shared responsibility.
The IGP also assured the citizenry that the Police Administration is relentless in changing the face of the service to meet international standards.
Dr Dampare said these when he paid a three-day working visit to the Oti Region to experience the region’s general security situations and encourage personnel to be dedicated to Service and Ghana in the maintenance of law and order.
Further, the IGP outlined some of the policies being pursued by the Police Administration to make the Ghana Police Service a world-class Police institution. Notable among the policies is the implementation of the new holistic training programmes at the various Police Training Schools to produce all-around effective and efficient Policemen and women who are proficient in driving, riding and swimming and Police officers who respect the fundamental human rights of the citizenry to harness the human resource base.
While on tour, the IGP and his entourage seized the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on the Regional Minister of Oti Region, Dr. Joshua Makubu.
The team also visited the various paramountcies in the region.
The IGP also used the occasion to interact with students and pupils of Dambai College of Education and St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Basic School in Dambai, where he encouraged them to be committed to their education which is the bedrock of success. He also encouraged them to see challenges as opportunities to achieve future goals.
Accompanying the IGP were Director-General (DG) National Patrol Department, COP Mr. Paul Manly Awini; DG/MTTD, COP Mr. Francis Aboagye Nyarko and DG/Welfare, DCOP Mrs Habiba Twumasi Sarpong, Others include Deputy-Chief Staff Officer, C/Supt Grace Ansah-Akrofi; Director, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU); C/Supt/Mr A. Abass and Director, Public Affairs Directorate, Supt/Mr Alexander K. Obeng.
The team was welcomed by the Oti Regional Police Commander, DCOP/Mr Charles Dormamban, together with other Senior Police officers with the Regional Headquarters formation.
A team of government officials and the leadership of the emergency response have arrived at the Apiate where some 17 lives have been claimed after an explosion on January 20.
The team are there to examine the situation and the effective measures that have been put in place to ensure control of the situation after the explosion.
The team which is led by the Vice president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia include the Minister for the interior, Ambrose Dery, Inspector General of Police, George Dampare, Minister for Lands and Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Director General of NADMO, Eric Nana Agyeman-Prempeh among others.
The team is expected to address the media to give updates on the incident at 11am today.
Background
Over five hundred people have been rendered homeless at Apiate, a community near Bogoso in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality in an explosion, killing about seventeen people and leaving several others severely injured.
All houses in the community, church buildings, stores and all structures have collapsed, leaving residents in the community homeless.
The explosion was caused by a truck belonging to a mining service contractor MAXAM that was involved in a collision causing an explosion in the community.
The truck carrying the explosives was from Bogoso heading towards Kinross, a mining company in Chirano in the Western North Region, 140 kilometers away from the explosion site.
Ghana’s Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has said that as part of measures in ensuring discipline in the Ghana Police Service, persons in management are obliged to adhere to all road traffic regulations.
He has disclosed that Police Management Board no longer abuse the use of sirens except in emergency cases.
In the IGP’s statement read on his behalf by the director-general in charge of police patrol, COP Paul Manly Awuni at the 7th Ghana CEO Network Business Cocktail, he noted that the Police Service is fighting indiscipline from two fronts thus “by example and by ensuring that anyone who is indiscipline faces the law, no matter who that person is.”
He said: “Surely, the first step in fighting indiscipline is for people, particularly all categories of leaders to live by example, doing what is right and eschewing what is wrong. In our own small way, we, members of the Police Management Board, are trying to live by example and except when there are emergencies, you will find most of us in traffic, abiding by the road traffic regulations and desisting from abusing the sirens in our official vehicles.”
Speaking at the event held at the Number One Oxford Street Hotel in Accra, COP Paul Manly Awuni furthered: “We believe that if leaders live by example, their followers and members of the public would emulate the examples without questions. In any case, those of them who refuse to do the right thing could then be whipped into line by the leaders with moral courage.”
“The second approach in the fight against indiscipline is to tackle it head on fearlessly, fairly, firmly and transparently. This implies that in enforcing discipline, we must apply what I will call the hot stove principle. When an electric stove is switched on and the surface plate heats up and becomes red-hot, whoever touches it, be the person a millionaire, pauper, assemblyman or ordinary man, it will burn that person and that is it,” Dr Akuffo Dampare charged.
The Acting Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare has undertaken his very first major reshuffling in the police service.
Reports indicate that over 30 prominent personnel in the police service have been affected by the overhaul.
Key amongst these persons include Director-General of Welfare, Maame Tiwaa Addo Danquah; Head of Education, Research and Training at the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), Superintendent Alexander Obeng; Public Relations Officer of the Criminal Investigations Department, DSP Juliana Obeng; Director-General in charge of Police Operations, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
The officers are expected to take up their new positions with immediate effect.
Below are the names of officers and their new roles, according to reliable sources:
COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah (Mrs) – Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Bureau
COP Vincent Redeemer Dedjoe – Special Duties
COP Edward Tabiri – Director-General in charge of ICT
COP Frederick Adu Anim – Human Resource
COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno – Administration
DCOP Kwadwo Beapea Otchere – Regional Commander for Kasoa
The Ghana Police Service has witnessed a reshuffling after the new Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare resumed work on August 1, 2021.
The Public Affairs Director of the Service, Superintendent Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, is now in charge of the Judicial Police in the Eastern region.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Samuel Kwasi Ofori takes over her position as the Public Affairs Director (PAD).
Greater Accra Public Affairs Director, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mrs Elizabeth Effia Tenge will now be in charge of the Volta Regional PAD.
DSP Ms Juliana Obeng takes over her old position as the Greater Accra Regional PAD.
Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng who was the head of Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) at the Police Headquarters resumes work as the Director of Public Affairs Director.
These were contained in a communique signed by the new IGP on August 1, 2021.
Scores of residents within the Tema Region on Monday called on the newly appointed Inspector General of Police to reinforce the National Patrol Department, popularly known as Police Visibility and Accessibility Concept.
The residents who commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for appointing a seasoned officer COP Dr George Akuffo Dampare as the new IGP, which is an affirmation of recognition of merits.
The Tema residents told the Ghana News Agency in interview that, the Police Visibility force should form part of his new administration “we need to strategically see them positioned around shopping malls, main business districts, major roundabouts, junctions and interchanges, as an assurance of safety.
Mr Dominic Owusu Ansah, a Public Servant told the GNA at Tema that, the presence of the Visibility Police was enough to instil discipline to the driving public, as they were spotted at every major traffic intersection.
He said it was spectacular to identify these police personnel in their smartly dressed uniforms and reflective clothing around town.
Mrs Winifred Acheampong, a shop owner at Tema Community Eleven, noted the era of Police Visibility force created a safe environment for traders; “you always know that the police are watching over you.
“We need them back on the streets as it brought policing to our doorsteps. It also brought a sigh of relief to the public, knowing very well that our safety and security was guaranteed as the regular patrols and presence reduced the fear of crime in our communitiesâ€.
Security personnel who claimed that the withdrawal of the Police Visibility force was a policy directive also called on the new IGP to review that directive.
Scores of Police Personnel who spoke to the GNA on condition of anonymity noted that although the police may not be in the position to control all the variables that might produce crimes, sustained proactive police patrols in the communities tended to foresee and manage crimes.
“Crime prevention through police visibility and accessibility on the streets and communities through police patrols, especially fixed and foot patrols, are the best option,†the Police Officers asserted.
A Police Officer revealed that the bedrock of proactive policing patrols was to deter and prevent the crimes from happening rather than waiting for it to occur before investigating, which was the additional mandate of the Police Visibility Force.
GNA research shows that the Police Visibility concept, started at the National Headquarters, and was replicated in all regional and district capitals to maintain high professional standards of policing through visibility, reliability and strong public relations.
The outgoing Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr James Oppong-Boanuh has with consultation and approval of the Police Council promoted 1,842 personnel to new ranks.
According to the service, the affected personnel acquired their respective degrees without study leave and served for not less than 12 years.
About 836 of them who were Inspectors have been promoted to the rank of Chief Inspectors, 989 Sergeants promoted to the rank of Inspectors and 17 Corporals promoted to the rank of Sergeants in what has been described as special amnesty.
A statement communicating the new development reads in part “the under-mentioned General Sergeants/Inspectors who have duly presented their University Degree certificates are hereby granted a special amnesty and awarded four (4) incremental credits in their ranks. This has translated to their promotion to the rank of Inspector as indicated against their names.
Pull Out of outgoing IGP
Meanwhile, Mr James Oppong-Boanuh is due to be pulled out on Friday, July 30, 2021, at the National Police Training School at Tesano in Accra.
Ministers of State and Members of the Police Management Board Management Board(POMAB) are expected to grace the occasion.
It would be recalled that a statement from the Presidency signed by Eugene Arhin directed Mr James Oppong-Boanuh to proceed on his accumulated leave with effect from August 1, 2021.
The statement added “Until a substantive Inspector General of Police is appointed, in accordance with the dictates of the Constitution, President Akufo-Addo has asked Commissioner of Police George Akuffo Dampare, PhD to serve as acting Inspector General of Police with effect from Sunday, 7th October 2021,â€
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has directed the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to take over investigations into the deadly attack of a bullion van at Adedenpo, a suburb of Jamestown in Accra, leading to the shooting of a police constable.
The police officer and a hawker were killed by armed robbers who attacked the bullion van on motorbikes.
The armed robbers are reported to have attacked the bullion van at about 11:00am and fired sporadically into the air.
A press release issued by the police on Monday, June 14 said preliminary investigations have been done. “Crime scene experts have already visited the scene of crime and are going through the necessary procedures.â€
But the IGP, James Oppong-Boanuh, reminded the Association of Bankers “to provide fortified armoured vehicles for carting currencies by the close of June 2021 as earlier agreed between them and the [Ghana] Police Service, lest the Police withdraws its officers for escort dutiesâ€.
The names of the victims have been given as Constable Emmanuel Osei and Afua Badu.
Meanwhile, persons with information on the attack can contact any police station or call the investigation team on 0262122086, 0244994564 or 0244280001.
The Ghana Police Service has issued guidelines for the Easter celebration.
The directive from the police says religious bodies are expected to hold services, not beyond two hours.
“Churches, Mosques and religious bodies are expected to hold services not beyond two hours for 100 participants maximum only, observing all other COVID-19 protocols. Conventions, crusades, pilgrimages and such large physical gatherings are not allowed.â€
Operators of tourists sites have been directed to also adhere to the safety protocols if they want to operate.
“Tourist sites and attractions. Operators of tourist sites and attractions may open to the public, provided they ensure the wearing of face masks, social distancing and enhanced hygiene by all patrons.â€
On funerals, the directive said: “Funerals. Families may like to take advantage of the holiday period to bury loved ones. The public is reminded that it is illegal to hold funerals. Private burials may be held with a maximum of twenty-five people if held outside the church or religious facility. For church or religious burial services, the maximum number of participants should be hundred. In all cases, the COVID-19 protocols are expected to be observed and the duration shall be two hours maximum. Road safety. Together with road safety partners, Police Officers would be present at mapped out traffic congestion and accident prone areas.â€
