Speculation is rife about the possible removal of Inspector General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare from office, following a claim by Franklin Cudjoe, Founder of IMANI Africa, alleging a plot by the Akufo-Addo administration to oust the police chief.
In a statement released on social media, Franklin Cudjoe alleged that the government is “harassing and threatening” IGP Dampare for his steadfast commitment to upholding peaceful and transparent elections. According to Cudjoe, Dampare has thwarted attempts by the government to manipulate electoral processes during previous by-elections, as well as in a recent election they lost.
“The current IGP is being harassed and threatened with removal from office by the Akufo-Addo administration before they leave office. His crime? For standing up for peaceful and transparent elections,” Franklin Cudjoe wrote.
Franklin Cudjoe further accused the government of colluding with the Electoral Commission (EC) to pressure election security services into assisting with a recount of votes in nine constituencies. He claimed that these constituencies are being targeted by elements within the government who believe they secured victories there, despite the declared results favoring the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“Thankfully, the Electoral security services have flatly denied the EC its request to help rig the clear mandate that the NDC has been given,” Cudjoe stated.
He described the alleged actions by elements of the government as “shameful,” warning that any attempt to remove IGP Dampare and replace him with a “puppet” to assist in overturning election results would have serious consequences.
“They are mistaken, and should they dare remove the IGP and install their puppets to grant the rigging-minded and pliant EC [the ability] to overturn the will of the people in the nine constituencies, they will be responsible for what happens to them,” Cudjoe warned.
The allegations have sparked outrage on social media, with many Ghanaians expressing concern over the potential undermining of the country’s democratic processes.
He also highlighted a suit currently filed by IMANI Africa before the Supreme Court, seeking an interpretation of constitutional provisions regarding the removal of security service heads by an incoming administration. He urged all Ghanaians, particularly President-elect John Dramani Mahama and the NDC, to remain vigilant and resist any attempts to compromise the integrity of the country’s electoral process.
“This also brings to the fore IMANI’s current suit before the Supreme Court for the interpretation that provisions in the Constitution do not grant powers to an incoming president to arbitrarily remove heads of security services,” he said.
As tensions rise, calls for transparency and adherence to constitutional principles are growing louder. The public awaits a response from the government, the Electoral Commission, and the Office of the President regarding the allegations leveled by Franklin Cudjoe.
Below is his full post on Facebook:
We have very reliable intelligence that the current IGP is being harassed and threatened with removal from office by the Akufo-Addo administration before they leave office. His crime? For standing up for peaceful and transparent elections. For denying the government the opportunity to put in motion election rigging machinery, it had long planned for previous by-elections and the one they lost .
Now, though in connivance with the high-handed Electoral Commission, the government is forcing election security services to provide service for the recollation of some 9 constituencies elements of the government believe they won
Thankfully, the Electoral security services have flatly denied the EC its request to help rig the clear mandate that the NDC has been given.
It is shameful that elements of this government are misbehaving and putting our democracy in great danger.
They are mistaken and should they dare remove the IGP and install their puppets to grant the rigging-minded and pliant EC to overturn the will of the people in the 9 constituencies, they will be responsible for what happens to them. I sincerely hope that President- elect John Dramani Mahama and the NDC and all civilised Ghanaians will rise to the occasion and deal with these miscreants.
This also brings to the fore IMANI’s current suit before the Supreme Court for the interpretation that provisions in the Constitution do not grant powers to an incoming president to arbitrarily remove heads of security services. While we wait on the Supreme Court to make a determination, we should fight the latest thuggish approach to remove an IGP who only served his country.
Open your eyes, people, and fight for civility and order!
