Drama continue to unfold before the bi-partisan fact-finding parliamentary committee probing the leaked tape of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare.
This time around, details emerging suggest that the much talked about leaked tape containing a plot to oust the IGP was recorded by his (IGP’s) “boy”.
The controversial tape recording was reportedly done by ASP Kenneth Asante-Antwi of Police Surveillance.
According to sources, this same ASP Kenneth was a Police Sergeant who did not qualify for Police College but went because he is the IGP’s boy.
He was also invited for questioning by operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) after similar invitations to COP George Alex Mensah and Supt. George Asare, Bugri Naabu, his aide and receptionist
He was part of Course 51 of Cadet Officers Training which is been investigated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
According to the OSP, the investigation in respect of the Ghana Police Service targets specific cases of alleged corruption and corruption-related offences and acts of the use of office for profit, abuse of office, abuse of power, favoritism, nepotism, victimization and the selection of unqualified persons.
This revelation however, does not come as a surprise particularly when the former Director-General Technical of the Ghana Police Service, COP George Alex Mensah appearing before the Committee on Friday directed them to contact the IGP for the original audio recording.
“Mr. Chairman, my intel [intelligence] suggests that what was used to tape the conversation was done by the current IGP. He sent some people to do it and after which he went for it. So the tape, from my intel, is with the IGP and he caused it to be leaked” COP Alex Mensah claimed.
The Senior Police Office further stated: “So if this committee wants the [original] tape, the right person to call before this committee is the Inspector General of Police”.
According to him, the present IGP, is the worst the country has ever had, and that the service is heading in the wrong path with him at the helm of affairs.
COP Mensah, who is at the centre of the alleged plot to depose the IGP, told the bipartisan committee that Dr. Akuffo-Dampare had also gagged police officers, including the service’s Public Affairs Directorate, and that many of the officers were dissatisfied with his management of the service.
He claimed that Dr. Akuffo-Dampare did not even permit the service’s Public Affairs Directorate to carry out its responsibilities as required.
“As I have said earlier, the current IGP is not managing the Service well because now he has shut the mouth of every police officer including the Public Affairs Director,” he stressed.
“Honourable chair, what I said yesterday, if you give me the opportunity today, I will say it again. For me, for the 31 years I have been in the Service, he [Dr. Akuffo-Dampare] is the worst IGP ever,” he retorted to a question.
COP Mensah again alleged that the IGP is in constant touch with former President John Mahama, and added, “Mr. Chair, my intelligence shows that he does it.”
He also asserted that members of the Ghana Police Service are divided along political lines, which causes the promotion of perceived political opponents whose political parties are not in power to be delayed.
According to him, because he was considered as a political opponent, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government bypassed him and promoted all of his juniors, including the current IGP, to Deputy Commissioners and Commissioners.
