Police reshuffle is an admission that we are in crisis – Minority

The ranking member on the Committee for Defence and Interior, James Agalga has indicated that the re-assigning of senior Police officers is an admission that the country is in crisis.

Speaking during a minority press conference on Friday at Parliament House in Accra on national security situation in the country, Mr Agalga stated that “Police reshuffle is an admission that we are in a crisis. It is an admission that the feeling of insecurity issues that Ghanaians are facing is justified”

He also conceded that the reshuffle could inject some fresh blood and innovation into the service, but added that if after the re-assignment and nothing happens, they will be compelled to call for heads.

The Inspector General of Police on Thursday made 11 major changes in the security hierarchy following an escalation in crime across the country in recent times.

He reassigned his Director of Operations COP George Dampare to head the research department. COP Christian Tetteh Yohunu who was head of the Special Duties is now leading the police intelligence unit.

The shakeup comes in the wake of the increasing armed robbery attacks which have claimed scores of lives.

The new shakeup is the second major operational changes announced by the police since IGP David-Asante Appeatu was appointed early last year.

Call for bi-partisan Committee

The Minority also maintained that the President must instruct the Attorney General to wrap up pending cases of attacks on Police personnel including the assault of ASP Nanka Bruce.

According to Mr Agalga, the President must also direct the Police Council to review appointments in the Police Service that has weakened the morale of the Police and heightened concern of over-politicisation of certain appointments recently made with the service.

“The President must put together a bi-partisan group to as a matter of urgency to help the Ghana Police to review the operations with a view to adopting new strategies and technologies to help in stemming the upsurge of criminal activities”.