The Africa Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (ACSIS) believes the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare goofed for ordering the Ghana Police Service to respond to media reports that the IGP has been removed.
According to ACSIS, the IGP should have waited for the Ministry of Interior to respond to the issue.
The Ghana Police Service in a statement on Sunday, 30th June, 2024 dismissed the media report that the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare has been asked to proceed on leave.
“We would like to urge the public to disregard this fake news and treat same with the contempt it deserves.” The statement said.
Reacting to this, Africa Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies questioned why the Ghana Police Service responded to the alleged IGP removal only while there are a lot of rumours going around about him.
“After closely following the issue, ACSIS observed jubilation over the alleged removal of the IGP across the country’s regional, divisional, and district police service command posts. Undoubtedly, this compelled the IGP to instruct his PR to issue a press statement, aimed at refuting the media report and reaffirming that IGP Dampare remains at post. The ACSIS believes that the IGP should not have issued this release, questioning why he believes he is the right person to respond to the issue so quickly, without waiting for the ministry or the government to respond. In any case, there are a lot of rumours going around about him, so why did he choose to respond to only this one with alacrity?” ACSIS said in a statement.
“ACSIS is of the view that the stark divide between the IGP and his personnel may lead to internal conflicts, hindering the service’s ability to function cohesively and respond to existential internal and external security threats, particularly as the country approaches the 2024 general elections. Moreover, the perceived weakness and deep-seated cracks in his leadership could embolden criminal elements, potentially resulting in increased crime rates and security breaches.” Part of the statement read.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT
JUBILATION OVER THE ALLEGED REMOVAL OF THE IGP-(ACSIS)*
The Daily Guide newspaper reported on June 30, 2024, that the IGP had received instructions to go on leave and transfer his responsibilities to his second in command, Christian Tetteh Yohuno. This news item quickly spread within two hours of publication, especially on various social media platforms.
After closely following the issue, ACSIS observed jubilation over the alleged removal of the IGP across the country’s regional, divisional, and district police service command posts. Undoubtedly, this compelled the IGP to instruct his PR to issue a press statement, aimed at refuting the media report and reaffirming that IGP Dampare remains at post. The ACSIS believes that the IGP should not have issued this release, questioning why he believes he is the right person to respond to the issue so quickly, without waiting for the ministry or the government to respond. In any case, there are a lot of rumours going around about him, so why did he choose to respond to only this one with alacrity?
According to the information gathered so far, many police personnel, including some of the district and regional Commanders, are expressing their happiness and jubilating over the news. Reports suggest that some senior officers and POMAB members are even popping champagne. This situation is both instructive and troubling, raising a critical question: *Why are many personnel of the Ghana Police Service jubilating over the purported president’s directive for the Inspector General to proceed on leave*? Clearly, the widespread jubilations across all police regions over the alleged removal of the IG indicate a deep-seated discontent among personnel with the IGP’s style of leadership. It appears that the palpable hatred and dislike for the IGP by the men and women in uniform within the Ghana Police Service is a clear indication that the IGP’s services and leadership style are no longer tenable. The stark divide between the IGP and his personnel is an open secret for anyone who would like to find out. Interestingly, intelligence agencies have not been able to anticipate and report on the sentiment within the police service, which raises concerns about their effectiveness in gathering and analysing critical information.
ACSIS is of the view that the stark divide between the IGP and his personnel may lead to internal conflicts, hindering the service’s ability to function cohesively and respond to existential internal and external security threats, particularly as the country approaches the 2024 general elections. Moreover, the perceived weakness and deep-seated cracks in his leadership could embolden criminal elements, potentially resulting in increased crime rates and security breaches.
*Recommendation*
Given the current situation within the Ghana Police Service, especially at the various regional and district police posts, ACSIS recommends the following:
*I*. The government should not ignore the prevailing circumstances surrounding the jubilation over the suspected removal of the IGP across the entire police service nationwide, given the significant security and intelligence implications for the country.
*II*. Critically, the government should address the concerns of police personnel and investigate grievances against the IGP as soon as possible
*III*.The government should remove or reassign IGP Dampare in order to contribute to the restoration of morale and unity within the Ghana Police Service, which appeared to have been lost in recent times.
*IV*. The government should establish and implement a contemporary strategic intelligence framework that would properly enhance the capabilities of the intelligence department of the Ghana Police Service for in-depth information gathering and assessment in order to avoid prevailing challenges within the service in the near future.
*Conclusion*.
In conclusion, ACSIS believes that the above recommendations can help the appointing authority resolve the current crisis within the police service, ensure stability, and maintain Ghana’s overall security and intelligence posture.
*Credit*: AFRICA CENTRE FOR SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE STUDIES (ACSIS).
1st July 2024
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
