Decision to manage information flow to the public is strategic – IGP

• Posted on September 13, 2023September 13, 2023
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare says the decision to manage the dissemination of information to the general public is a strategic approach to ensuring that whatever is communicated is factual.

He explained that the situation that prevailed before this decision was implemented, did not present the Service in a professional light.

Dr Dampare stated this on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 when he appeared before the parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating the alleged plot to oust him.

Answering a question from a member of the committee who is a former police officer and MP for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu, Dr Dampare said, “It is a strategy we agreed on in accordance with international best practice. To avoid a situation where everybody from national to district is speaking on an issue without the facts and when the facts come out it is contrary.”

The IGP stressed that the decision was taken after broad consultation with relevant stakeholders within the Service, “It is a decision that all commanders were involved in taking. All the Public Relations Officers were part of the decision to adopt this approach.”

In recent times, some members of the general public and media practitioners have complained about the unwillingness of Police Public Relations Officers to grant interviews on emerging issues.

Dr Dampare noted that measures that have been put in place to ensure the timely dissemination of factual information include; the issuance of press releases and postings on the Service’s social media platforms.

The committee is investigating an alleged plot by some senior police officers, COP Alex Mensah, Superintendent George Asare, and Superintendent Emmanuel Eric Gyebi, to remove the IGP from office, as captured on a leaked audio, with the connivance of a senior member of the NPP, Chief Bugri Naabu.

The committee was constituted by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin after the MP for Elembele, Emmanuel Kofi Armah-Buah, had reported to the content of the tape to the House.

Per the directive of the Speaker, the terms of reference of the committee are; ascertain the authenticity of the leaked audio recording, investigate the conspiracy to remove the current IGP, investigate any other matter contained in the audio recording, recommend sanctions to persons found culpable where appropriate, make recommendations for reforms where necessary and make such other recommendations and consequential orders as the committee might deem appropriate.