COP George Alex Mensah, Director of Operations at the Ghana Police Service, appeared before a parliamentary committee examining a leaked tape, claiming that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, is mismanaging the Police Service.
COP Mensah made the statement during his appearance before the committee investigating the contents of the recording, which purportedly contains conversations between senior police officials and Bugri Naabu, the former Northern regional leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The conversations on the audio are said to be about preparations to remove the current IGP.
COP Mensah stated that the leadership of IGP Dampare has resulted in a drop in the morale of many police officers.
“Dampare’s stewardship of the Police Service has been lacking,” he said, adding that “a significant number of police officers are dissatisfied.” If you engage the officers on the ground, they will confirm this sentiment.”
On Thursday, August 31, COP Mensah testified before the committee. An alleged covert audio recording surfaced in July, revealing an alleged conspiracy among individuals thought to hold prominent positions within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a prominent Police Officer. Their purported goal was to remove IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare from his position prior to the 2024 elections.
At the time of the recording, the anonymous participants expressed dissatisfaction with IGP Dampare’s actions, which they considered not in line with the ruling party’s interests. They criticized his leadership style and accused him of having ties to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“I’m aware that there are other capable candidates for this position,” one person heard on the audio, who was reportedly a police officer, said. If I don’t get what I want and this transformation happens with people we consider to be our supporters, I’ll be satisfied. because we need to sabotage the ‘8.’ That is critical; we must disturb the ‘8. I wouldn’t want Dr. [Dampare] to be the flagbearer just to lose the elections.”
The participants in the recording believed that if IGP Dampare continued to oversee the police force, the NPP’s “Breaking the 8” goal would be impossible to achieve.
“This current IGP isn’t suitable; he won’t advance our cause,” they claimed. Given your political expertise, Alhaji, you understand that elections entail more than simply the process itself. There is an element of strategy at work. and the person now in that position will not help our party succeed.”
Another attendee, identifying himself as a former NPP regional Chairman, agreed, saying, “[It’s not only] sometimes that strategy plays a role.” Elections necessitate tactical maneuvering.”
