‘Noise’ on Police Service contract extension baseless, misplaced - Expert explains

An expert on Crime, Security and Governance with the Center for Cybersecurity and Crime Prevention (CCCP),Dr Emmanuel Mensah has described as “baseless noise” and series of publications in the news media that seek to suggest wrongdoing in the extension of the service contract of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, COP Oppong Boanuh, as MyNewsGh.com first reported based on a Manasseh Azure Awuni post.

The decorated COP Oppong Boanuh was to proceed on leave as his retirement was due but got called back by the President and Vice President based on “recognition of his meritorious service to the Police to continue to serve the country” as the law permits, this time in the capacity of Deputy IGP.

Dr Mensah opined that the framers of the 1992 constitution “appreciate the value of smart, experienced brains” for which they made room for a contract extension in order for the country to “have the full benefit of the experience of these top officers. It is done everywhere in the world and not unique to Ghana”.

Quoting Article 199 Clause 4 of the 1992 Constitution, he said the President has the prerogative to extend the service of a public officer on reaching the retirement age of 60 years, and COP Oppong Boanuh’s contract extension is timely and good for the Ghana Police Service.

He explained further: “Clause 4 of the amended Act says that “Notwithstanding clause (1) of this article, a public officer, who has retired from the public service after attaining the age of 60 years, may, where the exigencies of the service require, be engaged for a limited period of not more than two years at a time but not exceeding five years in all and upon such other terms and conditions as the appointing authority shall determine.

COP Oppong Boanuh’s image

The Deputy IGP Oppong Boanuh is believed to be highly popular among the rank and file of the Ghana Police Service in respect of his work in the service, particularly, some officers have said, is his judicious coordination of police disciplinary cases he handled, adjudicating issues timely and ensuring swift reinstatement, payments of compensation where due and punishment where applicable.

He is believed to be a “fair but firm” senior police official “who cannot be pushed around”.

Dr Emmanuel Mensah is of the view that COP Oppong Boanuh and the current IGP, David Asante-Apeatu are few of the Senior Police Officers who were “sidestepped by the erstwhile John Mahama administration unfairly and parochially”, calling on the Police Council to be independent and firm in its decisions.

“While the public is being made to believe they are retirees, it should not be lost on us all that no one has said they are incapacitated. Were former IGPs Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan and John Kudalor all not contract extension IGPs? What is the fuss about? If anyone believes there are any issues of incapacity, let them come forward.” Dr Emmanuel Mensah said.

“Is the current two-year extension of service as Deputy and IGP different from John Kudalor’s or Mohammed Alhassan’s?” He quizzed.

“Is it constitutional to extend service years, yes. Can they work… yes. Is their record solid… yes again… that’s what the Ghanaians should be interested in.” He explained.