Persons behind alleged plot to remove IGP should be punished – Minority to Akufo-Addo

• Posted on July 12, 2023July 12, 2023
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Minority in Parliament has asked President Akufo-Addo to ensure that those behind the purported plot to replace the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare are punished. 

The NDC MPs insist that is the surest way to prove the government is not in support of the plot. 

According to the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defense and Interior Committee, James Agalga, anything short of a thorough investigation and punishment will not be countenanced by them. 

“Probe it to unearth those behind the audio and bring them to book. The President, if you ask me, is the person who must put in the mechanism to ensure that those who are behind it are brought to book,” he said.

His comments follow assertions by Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery that there are no plans to remove the IGP.

According to Mr. Dery, the IGP has been exceptional in the delivery of his duties and there are no efforts to kick him out of office.

“I think that you should ignore it with the contempt that it deserves. There is no plot to remove anybody, I don’t know about anything. As far as I am concerned, he is doing his job,” he stated.

When asked if his office is interested in probing the claim, he replied in the negative.

“I am not sure I want to get involved in any investigation except that they relate to crime, then we will do that. But I think that so far we are doing well,” he said.

But touching on this, Builsa North MP, James Agalga said the Minority in Parliament will prevent any attempt(s) to rig the 2024 general elections or remove the IGP. 

“First of all, the Minister doesn’t appear to be sure of who the persons are, or those who were caught plotting to subvert the will of the Ghanaian people in 2024 and merely assured us that nothing untoward will happen. He said they have confidence in the IGP, and do not have in contemplation any attempt to replace him with the people caught on tape, that is not reassuring at all,” he said in a TV3 interview.

Background

A supposed leaked secret tape revealing a plot to replace the IGP as part of a grand strategy by the governing party to rig election 2024 has found its way into the public domain.

The tape does not identify any person by name, but the people involved supposedly include a top police officer and a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

-Joy