Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare has vigorously addressed the allegations levelled against him regarding a supposed secret plot to remove him from his position.
His appearance before the parliamentary committee was prompted by a leaked tape revealing a conspiracy against his leadership.
Appearing before the committee on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, Dr Dampare asserted, “I am here to respond to wild allegations, unsubstantiated by my brothers, in an attempt to cover up their shame. I am ready.”
Previous witnesses, all of whom are senior officers of the Ghana Police Service had made accusations against Dr. Dampare, prompting the committee to hear his side.
COP Alex Mensah, in particular, claimed that the IGP was not effectively managing the police force when he appeared before the ad-hoc committee. He asserted that serving officers were dissatisfied with Dr Dampare’s administration and suggested that an independent investigation would corroborate his claims.
In response, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare categorically dismissed these allegations as groundless and unworthy of serious consideration.
He emphasized that these claims had not only hurt his family but also tarnished the reputation of the police service.
“These baseless allegations, unsupported by any evidence, have caused immense pain to me, my family, and the nation, especially my wife and children, who have always been patriotic. We believe in the concept of ‘pan-Ghanaianism,’ where every Ghanaian is treated as a brother or sister, mother or father, uncle or aunt,” he lamented.
Dr Dampare expressed his frustration with witnesses dragging his name through the mud and questioned the fairness of the situation.
“Those wild allegations without a shred of evidence have brought a lot of pain to me, my family among the country and especially my wife and children, who were so patriotic because we believe in what you call pan-Ghanaianism where you end up because of your multi-ethnic nature, everybody sees, as long as the patient is your brother or sister, mother or father, uncle or aunt.”
“Then the pain also to mind command my leaders, my team that we work together… and the thousands of police people who are appreciating the strides that we are making in transforming organizations to be the best institution in the country and a reference point for the rest of the world. He came with all these allegations to cover up probably the shame associated with what they got themselves involved in in the first place.”
“I feel in my spirit that this is just not fair. Honourable chair, it is just not fair. Are we killing patriotism? That anybody can just get up, make allegations upon allegations, and people who go across the country – at times 48 hours without sleep, just to keep the country at peace – will be called to come and answer allegations that are unfounded?”
Nevertheless, he affirmed his willingness to participate in the hearing, citing his respect for all those associated with him, the State, and President Akufo-Addo, who appointed him to the position.
Dr Dampare was accompanied by his legal team and a group of senior police officials during the hearing.
Initially, the chairman of the committee, Samuel Atta Akyea, had indicated that the hearing would be conducted in-camera to protect national security interests.
However, this approach changed, and parts of the inquiry were conducted publicly.
