IGP Dampare allegedly asked to proceed on leave – Report

UPDATE: The Ghana Police Service has debunked media reports stating that the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akufo Dampare, has reportedly been asked to proceed on leave and urged the public to disregard the reports.

The Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akufo Dampare, has reportedly been asked to proceed on leave and to hand over his duties to his second-in-command, Christian Tetteh Yohuno.

This information comes from a report by dailyguidenetwork.com dated June 30, 2024.

According to Daily Guide, the decision to ask the IGP to proceed on leave could be linked to the 2023 leaked tape scandal, which was investigated by a parliamentary committee chaired by Abuakwa South MP, Samuel Atta Akyea. Another source mentioned that the IGP is being removed due to allegations of insubordination.

The pro-government news portal also stated that, although the findings of the Atta Akyea Committee exonerated IGP Dampare, it was revealed that the IGP had close contact with Bugri Naabu, the former NPP Northern Regional Chairman.

"His call logs indicated communication with Daniel Bugri Naabu, but he openly denied any contact with the former NPP Northern Regional Chairman," the portal reported.

While GhanaWeb cannot independently verify the claims in the Daily Guide report, it is noteworthy that this is not the first time rumours have surfaced about a potential plot to remove the current IGP.

In July 2023, the then Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, was compelled to publicly state that there were no plans to remove the IGP after rumours suggested that the NPP government was considering a change in the leadership of the Police Service.

"I think that you should dismiss it with the contempt it deserves. There is no plot to remove anyone; I am unaware of any such plans. As far as I am concerned, he is performing his duties," Ambrose Dery declared at the time.

COP Mensah, two others cited for professional misconduct - Official

The Parliamentary Committee assigned to investigate the leaked audio recording that implicated senior police officers in a plot to oust the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has completed its investigation.

The committee's findings have resulted in the recommendation of punitive measures against three officers identified in the tape, as reported by myjoyonline.com.

Chaired by Samuel Atta Akyea, the committee has named COP Alex George Mensah, Supt. George Lysander Asare, and Supt. Emmanuel Eric Gyedi as the individuals who have breached the code of conduct according to police regulations.

The committee also declared that their actions constitute a significant violation, warranting disciplinary action in accordance with established police procedures.

The committee urges Parliament to communicate these findings to the President, following Section 19 of the Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350), which grants the president the authority to impose disciplinary sanctions.

The officers in question—COP Mensah, Supt. Asare, and Supt. Gyedi—are accused of professional misconduct for violating, among other provisions, Section 17(d) of the Police Service Act, which prohibits police officers from engaging in activities outside their official duties that could involve them in political disputes or allow them to misuse their position.

Additionally, Regulation 82(1)(c) of the Police Service Regulations, 2012 (C.I 76) was cited in the report, emphasizing that it is an offense for an officer to engage in non-official activities that might lead to political controversy or the improper exploitation of their role within the service.

The leaked recording captured the three officers conspiring with Daniel Bugri Naabu, the former Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, to strategize the removal of the Inspector General of Police.

The committee's recommendations now await President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's decision on the appropriate course of action to address this breach of trust and protocol within the police ranks, the report concluded.

OGB

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