Ghana’s immediate past Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has refused to attend a high-level roundtable convened by his successor, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to discuss policing reforms and officer welfare. It was meant to be a show of unity and experience.
The meeting, which brought together all living former IGPs, was meant to tap into their collective expertise to improve security operations and address long-standing concerns over the treatment of retired officers.
Among those in attendance were Christopher Komla (C.K) Dewornu, Nana Stephen Owusu-Nsiah, David Asante-Apeatu, James Oppong-Boanuh, Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, John Kudalor, Ernest Owusu-Poku, and P.K Acheampong.
But Dampare, who once led Ghana’s police with a highly visible, media-savvy approach, was nowhere to be seen. Sources suggest his absence was no coincidence—many of his predecessors remain discontent with how he handled their welfare during his tenure, a period marked by tensions between the police hierarchy and retired officers.
This is not the first time Dampare has distanced himself from key gatherings post-exit. He was similarly absent when former heads of Ghana’s security services paid a courtesy visit to then-President John Dramani Mahama—a gesture of appreciation he evidently did not deem necessary.
Critics say his leadership style was marked by an insular approach, preferring media engagements over institutional dialogue. His failure to engage with former IGPs while in office—and now, his refusal to meet them under new leadership—raises questions about whether he sees value in their experience at all.
With policing challenges mounting and public confidence in law enforcement increasingly under scrutiny, Dampare’s decision to stay away from this latest discussion signals a lingering divide between Ghana’s policing past and present.
Source: thehawknewspaper.com