Manasseh Azure Challenges Calls to Retain Dampare as IGP
Renowned investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has entered the heated debate on whether President John Dramani Mahama should retain Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as Inspector General of Police (IGP) or appoint a new one.
In a Facebook post, Manasseh countered growing calls, particularly from IMANI Africa, advocating for Dampare’s continuation in office. While acknowledging Dampare as “one of the few good men around,” he asserted that the final decision should rest solely with the president.
Security Appointments Require Full Presidential Trust
Manasseh emphasized that a president must be able to work with security chiefs he fully trusts. He shared a personal anecdote, recalling a time when he received multiple death threats. A former National Security Minister had then asked him to personally select the police officers he trusted for his protection.
“The president should be allowed to decide. If he wants to maintain Dampare, it is his choice. If he wants someone else, he should be free to do so,” Manasseh stated.
According to him, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) hold positions critical to national security, making trust a key factor in their selection.
Historical Precedents: Security Chiefs and Political Upheavals
Manasseh highlighted historical incidents where security chiefs have played key roles in political shifts. He referenced the 1966 coup that toppled Kwame Nkrumah, in which Commissioner of Police J.W.K. Harlley played a significant role.
Additionally, he pointed to instances where security personnel were involved in assassinations or assassination attempts on heads of state, reinforcing the importance of trust in security appointments.
While clarifying that he is not casting doubt on Dr. Dampare or Ghana’s military chiefs, he argued that public perception of a “good” or “bad” IGP is subjective.
“One man’s best IGP may be another’s worst,” he stated.
IMANI’s Legal Action: Challenging Presidential Power Over Security Chiefs
Meanwhile, IMANI Africa’s president, Franklin Cudjoe, has clarified that their legal action regarding security service heads was initiated in March 2024, long before the December elections.
In a recent statement, Cudjoe explained that their suit challenges the constitutional limits of presidential authority in removing security service heads.
The Constitutional Argument
IMANI’s legal action is based on the interpretation of multiple constitutional provisions, including Articles 200, 202(1), 202(2), 202(3), 205, 207(1), 207(2), 207(3), 190(1), 191, 196, 199, and 269 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
Their argument states that the President of Ghana does not have unilateral authority to remove the heads of security agencies unless based on proven misconduct or misbehavior. This includes leadership at the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Fire Service, Ghana Prisons Service, and the Ghana Immigration Service.
The Bigger Question: Should the President Be Bound by His Predecessor’s Choices?
Manasseh concluded his argument by stressing that a sitting president should not be forced to work with security chiefs appointed by a political opponent.
“Until we agree on a non-partisan method of selecting security chiefs, we should not expect one president to work with the appointees of his predecessor,” he argued.
While President Mahama can opt to retain Dr. Dampare, Manasseh insisted that the final decision must be left to the president, who will ultimately bear the responsibility for his choices.
Conclusion
As Ghana awaits President Mahama’s decision on the IGP position, the debate continues over whether continuity or change is in the country’s best interest. The case presented by IMANI and counterarguments from analysts like Manasseh Azure highlights the complexity of security appointments in Ghana’s political landscape.
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