The Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, COP George Alex Mensah, has made a serious critique about the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare. He stated that Dr. Dampare is the worst IGP in the service’s history, accusing him of poor management.
This statement was made on Friday, September 1, during COP Mensah’s second appearance before a special seven-member committee. This committee, established by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, is investigating the authenticity of a leaked tape concerning the IGP. COP Mensah had previously appeared before this committee on Thursday, August 31. It’s clear that there are some significant issues within the Ghana Police Service that are currently being scrutinized.
He said “What I said yesterday if you give me the chance today I will say so again, he is not managing the service well. For me, for the 31 years that I have been in the service, I can tell you he is the worst IGP we have had.”
Sure! The Committee Chair, Samuel Atta Akyea, has issued a stern warning during the proceedings. He cautioned COP George Alex Mensah that the committee’s examination of the leaked tape could escalate into a full-blown trial of the entire Ghana Police Service if care is not taken. This suggests that the ongoing investigation could have far-reaching implications for the entire police service, putting the actions and decisions of many more individuals under scrutiny. The warning underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences if the issues at hand are not handled with the utmost care and attention.
“Yesterday, we realized that if we are not careful this will be a trial of the entire police service,” Atta Akyea who is also lawmaker for Akim Abuakwa South said.
COP George Alex Mensah, during his Thursday appearance before the committee, clarified that while he doesn’t have any personal animosity towards the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, they do have occasional professional disagreements at the top level. He describes himself as an open and straightforward person who speaks his mind.
A significant development arose when a tape surfaced capturing a conversation involving COP Mensah, other senior police officers, and the former Northern Region Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Daniel Bugri Naabu. The conversation seemed to plot the removal of the IGP before the 2024 elections. The tape suggested that the IGP was favoring former President John Dramani Mahama, who has promised to keep him in his position.
Interestingly, while Chief Bugri Naabu confirmed the tape’s content, COP Mensah denied it, suggesting that parts of it have been edited. Despite the controversy surrounding the tape, he maintains that he has no personal issues with the current IGP.
SOURCE: Senali News Ghana
