Let us not demonise our heroes; Kudos, IGP Dampare

Last week, President John Dramani Mahama relieved In­spector General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare of his duties. He was appointed as the acting IGP of the Ghana Police Service by former President Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo on July 21, 2021, effective August 1, 2021, and was confirmed as the substantive IGP on October 8, 2021, at the age of 51. He took over from James Oppong Boanuh, who had served since October 2019.

It is an action by the President that has sparked a national reac­tion, characterised by widespread jubilation among a cross-section of the members of the Police Service. It is believed that police officials whose nefarious activities were curtailed by the former IGP ex­pressed joy because they will now have the means to return to their unpatriotic acts. Others believe that Dr Dampare stepped on too many toes regarding promotions and transfers.

Late last year, 10 police officers filed a lawsuit to block their trans­fers to the then Inspector-Gen­eral of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare. The officers contended that the decision undermined their professional stability and failed to align with the standard administra­tive processes of the police service.

Born on July 14, 1970, Dr Dampare is a Chartered Accoun­tant and police officer. He was the 25th IGP, and the youngest in the Fourth Republic of Ghana and the eighth youngest since Ghana gained independence. Dampare served as the IGP until March 13, 2025, when he was removed from office and replaced by Commis­sioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno.

His appointment made him the youngest person to occupy the position in Ghana’s Fourth Repub­lic. His tenure has been marked by significant reforms, including modernisation efforts, community policing, and enhanced security strategies.

The former IGP’s tenure has been marked by notable achieve­ments and some criticisms. While many have lauded his efforts to reform and modernise the Ghana Police Service, several concerns have been raised regarding his leadership.

There are allegations of fa­vouritism and division within the service. For example, a retired senior police officer publicly criti­cised him, labelling his leadership as “incompetent and disruptive.” Agordzo accused the former IGP of fostering division within the police ranks and practising favouritism in promotions and assignments.

He was also accused of central­ising the communications system of the service, describing it as unhealthy and a form of restricting information flow to the headquar­ters in Accra. This move faced criticism from stakeholders who argued that it hindered efficient communication and responsive­ness at regional and district levels.

Some critics, including a retired Commissioner of Police, accused Dr Dampare of prioritising public image over substantive policing. They described his actions as “eye servicing,” suggesting that his initiatives were more about appearance than effective law enforcement.

Despite these criticisms, it’s essential to acknowledge that leadership roles, especially in law enforcement, often attract diverse opinions. While some have raised concerns about Dr Dampare’s methods and decisions, others have defended his tenure, highlighting his commitment to transforming the police service and enhancing public safety.

The Ghana Police Service was created by the colonial admin­istration as a Police Force to be primarily used to protect their interest, which included in some cases against the citizenry. After it received legal backing through the Police Service Act, of 1970 (Act 350) after independence and buttressed in the 1992 constitution, the Ghana Police Service is now beaming with positivity across the entire nation.

Among other roles, the service is to primarily prevent and detect crimes planned, in a larger view, ensure the total maintenance of law and order and, importantly, to enhance effective co-existence be­tween the Police and the citizenry to promote safer communities.

To help solve these crime menaces, the Ghana Police Service launched the community policing unit in 2011 aimed at educating the public on its concepts and functions in making the commu­nities safe to live in and devoid of criminal activities.

IGP Dampare’s desire to intensify these initiatives by his predecessors was a kind of com­munity-based policing strategy that fostered collaboration between personnel of the service and local authorities to enforce law, order and security in metropolises, municipalities, and districts across the country. Such collaboration also enabled the public to identify, prioritise and address pertinent issues of crime in their various communities.

This effort was not only to in­crease police visibility in communi­ties but also ensured that personnel worked more in collaboration with opinion leaders and state agencies to sustain law and order. In inter­sections in most cities, the police are seen buttressing the citizenry’s confidence.

What was more amazing was the Snatch Them Young Police Initia­tive (STYPI). The former IGP and members of the Police Manage­ment Board regularly engaged the pupils and opinion leaders across the country to interact and sensitise the populace in the area on policing.

The hearty interaction with the schoolchildren saw the pupils speak openly about their security concerns and their view of the po­lice. According to the former IGP, the initiative represents a signifi­cant step towards building a safer and more trusting society while laying the foundation for mutual respect between the Police and the citizenry regardless of their age.

The establishment of the Ghana Police TV. An effective com­munication tool that has by far enhanced police-citizen engage­ment, which aims at “Engaging the people for safer communities.” Is phenomenon. The implemen­tation of programmes aimed at restoring public trust in the police, such as the ‘See Something, Say Something’ initiative, significantly improved Police-Civilian Relations.

In Ghana today, the public appears to be increasingly regaining confidence, trust, and respect in the police, and this has contributed to the reduction of crime in the country.

For instance, in 2023, Ghana registered the lowest crime index of 44.5 since 2019. The index mea­sures the level of crime in a given country or city. This means that, at the said date, crime in Ghana was considered as being on a moderate level. In 2019, the level of crime in the country registered a peak of nearly 52 points.

The Ghana Police Service indeed exists to deliver services in crime prevention detection, apprehen­sion, and prosecution of offenders consistent with the expectations of Ghana stakeholders for maximum protection, safe, secure and peace­ful communities in the light of the values of the service which require personnel honesty and firmness but fairness, in their activities thus ensuring effective working partner­ship with the general public and not the opposite.

Public engagement to under­stand and appreciate this and to win the support and confidence of the citizenry is paramount, and kudos to the former IGP for his various initiatives towards this.

President Mahama did not relieve Dr Dampare of his duties as the IGP for any negative doings. The president thanked him rather for serving his country. It is a norm for all presidents to work with service commanders who are considered faithful and trusted to their cause.

Don’t let us demonise him. He has played his part and duly paid his dues. The loud applause greeting his exit must not mean he is a devil. It should rather serve as a notice to all and even the new IGP. In the words of President Mahama, that I have come to love so much, “Abaa yɛ de bɔ Takyi no, yɛ de bɛ bɔ Baah”.

BY NANA SIFA TWUM (PHD)