The Parliamentary Committee investigating the leaked tape in which three senior police officers were allegedly plotting the removal of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has cleared the IGP of any wrongdoing.
However, the draft report from the Atta Akyea Committee recommends further investigation and possible prosecution for perjury of the three implicated officers, namely COP Alex Mensah, Supt. George Lysander Asare, and Supt. Eric Emmanuel Gyebi.
The Committee’s draft report outlined the following key recommendations:
- The three senior police officers involved in the conspiracy to remove the IGP should be referred for further investigation and possible prosecution for perjury under the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29) and professional misconduct under the Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350) and the Police Service Regulations, 2012, (C.I. 76).
- There is a need to review/amend Article 202(1) of the Constitution, 1992, Police Service Act (Act 350), and related legislation to fundamentally secure the independence of the office of the IGP.
- The office of the IGP should be on the same terms and conditions of service as a Justice of the Court of Appeal, with a non-renewable tenure after reaching the compulsory retirement age of sixty years (60).
- A serving/sitting IGP should only be removed from office for stated misbehavior or incompetence, incapacity to perform the functions of the office due to infirmity of body or mind, and related misconduct provided under the Police Service Act or Regulations.
- Parliament should expedite action on the enactment of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers Bill to address professional dilemmas leading to potential conflict of interest.
- The IGP, as head of the National Election Security Task Force, should ensure transparency in the deployment of security personnel engaged in election security management operations. Any personnel found to have acted unprofessionally should be held accountable.
- The Police Council and/or POMAB should implement a continuous professional training program for police personnel regarding legal, policy, and normative frameworks for regulating professional, ethical policing, and addressing conflicts of interest.
- Urgent steps should be taken by the Police Council towards the establishment of an Independent Police Complaint Commission (IPCC) modeled on global best practices to replace the existing Police Professional Standard Bureau.
- Strict enforcement of provisions under the Police Service Act 1970 (Act 350) and the Police Service Regulations 2012 (C.I. 76) to prevent serving police officers from engaging in activities outside their duties that may lead to political controversy.
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The Committee also found all allegations made against the IGP to be baseless and unsubstantiated. The report includes findings of fact, confirming the authenticity of the audio tapes and establishing the conspiracy by the implicated officers to remove the IGP based on unsubstantiated claims of political affiliation.
The committee’s recommendations aim to safeguard the independence of the IGP’s office and ensure accountability within the Ghana Police Service.
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