The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare will tomorrow, Tuesday, September 12, 2023, appear before the parliamentary ad-hoc committee probing the tape allegedly plotting his removal, Samuel Atta Akyea, has disclosed.
The Chairman of the committee says Dr. Dampare’s invitation will give him the opportunity to respond to some allegations levelled against him by the top police officers implicated in the matter.
A member of the committee, James Agalga had earlier disclosed that the IGP may be invited to share his side of the story for fairness, since his name has been mentioned as being the architect of the recording aside from other allegations he has been mentioned in.
“On Tuesday, all the individuals (Chief Daniel Bugri Naabu, Supt. George L. Asare, (COP) George Alex Mensah, and Supt. Emmanuel Eric Gyebi) … will come back with their lawyers.
“Also, the most prominent person whose name has been bandied about, the IGP himself should also come with his lawyers,” Mr. Atta Akyea said on Accra-based JoyNews.
For the sake of national security, the IGP’s invitation would be done in-camera, according to Chairman Atta Akyea.
“Some serious allegations have been made in public, but the substance of the allegations has not been made in public. That is to say, the evidential support for those allegations is what we are going to unearth, so which piece of evidence that we’ll give to the public that will not hurt national security, we’ll exercise that discretion,” he clarified.
He also stated in clear terms that the committee’s mandate is neither to appoint an IGP nor ruin his reputation but to authenticate the tape that came out, adding that the Committee will not allow for “the IGP to be disgraced and insulted without giving him a hearing.”
Also, for purposes of democratic principles and natural justice, Mr. Atta Akyea indicated that the IGP must be heard.
He said the hearing would be made public after about three to four hours.
“I think when it’s necessary for the public to come into the space, why not? But when it is frightening that what is ongoing is not good for national security, then we have to shut the public out,” he stated.
The Chairman stated he was confident the IGP would not turn down the invitation extended to him by the Committee.
“I don’t believe it will come there; that the IGP will say that ‘I am not going to come to Parliament,’ when he has a whole opportunity to hallow his name.”
