Vice President of Policy Think Tank, IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil has urged the president to forget about people pushing for George Akuffo Dampare PhD to be removed as Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service
In a nine-point letter to the President, Kofi Bentil indicated that Dampare has been the best IGP inhis lifetime.
He mentions that transformation in the Ghana Police Service during his administration as one of the reasons why he should get the backing of the president to continue his tenure.
“Ghana needs good people in office and IGP Dampare is one such good officer. His stay in office is good for Ghana. If indeed you represent a reset in how things are run, I urge you to retain him and show your difference.”
Read His Letter Below
DEAR PRESIDENT MAHAMA,
PLEASE IGNORE THOSE PUSHING YOU TO REMOVE IGP Dampare.
There are rumors they IGP has been fired. It’s not true as at now, but I know some people are pushing the President to do that. It’s wrong. Mr President please keep the good men we have. It will be a good legacy in your honor to do so!!
This IGP has been the best in my lifetime, He has served in the Ghana police for over 30 years and rose through the ranks and has led almost every major unit of the Ghana Police, he bidded his time and got to the top and performed very very well to achieve these at his relatively young age of 54, leaving him 6 years to retire.
Everyone has seen the transformation of the Police since he took office, he proves that one great leader can make a lot of difference, but still there are some who want his seat!! After all even Jesus had enemies!
Ghana needs good people in office and IGP Dampare is one such good officer. His stay in office is good for Ghana. If indeed you represent a reset in how things are run, I urge you to retain him and show your difference.
There are a number of reasons that justify why IGP Dampare must be retained.
1. Contrary to the view that Presidents can change IGPs (and heads of security services) at will, our laws do not permit that.
An IGP may be fired ONLY for cause and stated misconduct. The IGPs office is a Rank of the Police Service! He is not a political office.
This is why IMANI has taken this matter to the Supreme Court for adjudication. We are hopeful that the court will confirm our position.
2. If even there is any doubt on that point above, the Supreme Court has set a date May 7 2025, to rule, any move by the President to remove the IGP will be in contempt of the supreme court and an affront to the judicial system. Let’s hear the court. Let us not bastardize our courts and overreach, as was done in error in the past. Show us the difference.
3. This IGP against all odds has survived the arrows of the NPP government, he survived a parliamentary probe arising from internal and external attacks on him. The NPP fought him because they said he was not going to help them, and indeed he refused to allow the Police to disrupt the elections. They acted professionally and there was peace. He is now suffering from NDC people who want his seat for their own purpose!!
The fact that politicians have not been able to co-opt him is proof of his professionalism. Mr President do not listen to those who want you to repeat the errors of the past. Keep IGP.
4. An objective review will show he has succeeded in his duties to keep us safe. We just went through a tense election where many seats were contested at length but the peace held. The presidential election was determined quickly because of the concession of Dr Bawumia. Ghana is quiet and peaceful and we remain safe. There’s a saying that ‘you don’t know what you have till you lose it’ let’s not lose the good we’ve found.
Armed robberies are significantly reduced etc etc. citizens and even tourists were able to have their Detty December celebrations etc. all because the police led by IGP Dampare were on the job and performed excellently. If this IGP was not good, we would feel it on the streets
5, various measures and international security indexes have improved for Ghana as a result of the good quality security we have enjoyed in Ghana. There is no reason to change the IGP.
This man has been scrutinized at length and nothing adverse was found about him. Parliament probed and probed and still didn’t find reason to remove him. Very few people in his level of leadership can survive such scrutiny.
6. Great Presidents recognize other great leaders and retain them because their success will impact the general success of their administration.
7. I believe it will be a very positive record if you retain this IGP because he is competent and effective. It will benefit your administration and be a positive testament to the legacy of President Mahama as the President who identified talent and hardwork and retained it even against some people in his party.
8. For God and Ghanas sake retain IGP. At the least let us hear what the Supreme Court has to say about removal of security chiefs.
9. Even if it is ruled that the President may remove them, it will be better to retain the good ones as an example of how to reward good performance. It will be a credit to you and your presidency.
You promised a reset please don’t abandon that and do a repeat.
Show difference. Ghana will be better if you keep the good ones like Dampare.
