Retired senior police officer ACP Benjamin Agordzo has called for the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, from office by January 7, 2025.
Dr. Agordzo warned, “If Dampare stays in office beyond January 7, some police officers will mobilise to drive him out of office.”
Dr. Agordzo criticised the IGP’s leadership, accusing him of mismanagement, favouritism in promotions, and a lack of transparency in the Ghana Police Service.
Dr. Agordzo disputed claims that Dr. Dampare was the originator of police visibility programmes, stating that these initiatives began under previous administrations, particularly during the tenure of former IGP Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan.
According to him, Dr. Dampare only continued a system that had existed for years, bolstered by the provision of additional vehicles to cope with Ghana’s growing population.
According to him, Dr. Dampare’s leadership has been marked by significant internal challenges.
Dr. Agordzo highlighted several issues, claiming that some junior officers have been fast-tracked over their seniors without proper assessments.
“There are officers who have been in the same rank for years, while others leapfrog them due to special recommendations,” Agordzo said.
He added that the absence of an assessment committee has created widespread discontent among officers, affecting morale and loyalty within the service.
Dr. Agordzo also criticised Dr. Dampare for what he described as a “cosmetic approach” to policing.
He accused the IGP of prioritising public relations stunts such as beautifying police stations and creating bus stops over addressing the welfare of police officers and tackling systemic issues.
According to him, such initiatives do little to reflect in the day-to-day lives of officers or the general public.
He further alleged that the IGP had suppressed crime statistics to create a false impression of improved security.
“It’s been a whole year, and crime statistics have never been shared because the IGP wants to massage the numbers and make it seem like crime is down,” Dr. Agordzo claimed in an interview on TV3.
Related Scandals and Criticism
This is not the first time Dr. Dampare’s leadership has come under scrutiny.
Earlier this year, there were allegations of internal discord within the Police Management Board (POMAB), with senior officers accusing Dr. Dampare of sidelining them in decision-making.
Retired COP Alex Mensah, who was caught in the alleged IGP leaked tape saga, was very vocal about such developments and labelled IGP Dr. Dampare as the “worst IGP.”.
The leaked audio recordings revealed a plot by some police officers and political actors to oust Dr. Dampare, citing grievances about his leadership style.
Critics have also pointed to the IGP’s centralised communication system, which restricts regional commanders and officers from speaking directly to the media.
This policy, they argue, has stifled transparency and accountability in the police service.
Dr. Agordzo warned that if the next government retains Dr. Dampare, the police service risks losing credibility and public trust.
He urged immediate reforms to address the systemic issues within the service, emphasising that Dr. Dampare’s continued stay in office would deepen the challenges facing the police.
As the debate over Dr. Dampare’s leadership intensifies, the public and stakeholders await the government’s decision on the future of the IGP and the direction of the Ghana Police Service.