Atta Akyea explains why portions of Dampare’s testimony will be held in-camera

Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Samuel Atta Akyea, has explained why portions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare’s testimony will be heard in-camera.

Dr Dampare is currently before Parliament’s Ad-hoc committee, tasked to investigate the authenticity of a leaked tape plotting the remove him from office.

Three police officers, COP George Alex Mensah, Superintendent George Asare, Superintendent Emmanuel Gyebi and Daniel Bugri Naabu, a former Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have been implicated in the alleged IGP tape.

On Tuesday, September 12, prior to the IGP’s testimony, the Chairman of the committee, stressed the need to have the IGP respond to some of the allegations publicly.

“Because some of the allegations were made in public, we are of the opinion that it is important for the IGP to address some of the matters that were said before the committee publicly and then we will decide when we retire to go into evidence, which I believe will be in-camera.

“I am praying to God that in listening to the IGP, we will not veer into national security matters. So, when I see that the IGP is heading towards areas of national security. It is only fair, that we have an in-camera session. I have heard a lot of people asking why is that you made it open for others and not for the IGP, our response is very simple.

“What was made open was in the kitchens of Ghanaians…and we’ve listened to it already. There was nothing we could do about that. But when we want to find evidential support for what is already in the public domain, we can do so in public,” he explained.

He further stressed that the committee has nothing to hide neither does it have any personal interest in having the IGP’s testimony in-camera.

“I want everybody to come to terms with what we’re saying, we have nothing to hide. As a committee of Parliament, we didn’t originate the trouble. None of us manufactured the tape. As a matter of fact, we have been burdened with the task of investigating by the Speaker. We do not believe anybody’s disgrace will inure to our benefit,” he added.