Private legal practitioner, Martin Luther Kpebu, has called for reforms in the Ghana Police Service to depoliticise the appointment of Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The renowned lawyer, speaking on Ghana Tonight on TV3 Thursday, March 13, 2025, asked that the process be made like that of the appointment of Supreme Court judges, which he says although not perfect, gives room for the Legislature to participate in the selection process.
His comments come on the back of the replacement of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare by COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno as Inspector General of Police (IGP).
A statement issued by the presidency Thursday, March 13, 2025, and signed by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, stated that: “President John Dramani Mahama has in accordance with Articles 91 and 202 of the 1992 constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, appointed Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the Inspector-General of Police. He replaces COP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.”
Many have called for reforms in the security agencies to ensure the appointment of their leaders is depoliticised. Currently, there is a matter at the Supreme Court by some Civil Society Organisations demanding that the change in security chiefs by Presidents to be changed.
According to Kpebu, the issues related to the appointment together with the provision of security for the state makes it political, asking for reforms to be made to make the IGP’s appointment non-political.
“When it comes to those matters, usually, a President will appoint persons he is comfortable with because they help in providing security. Not just the personal security but the whole Ghana so to that extent, and other factors, it makes the appointment political.
“When you go to the Constitution, Article 202, it just says that the Inspector General of Police shall be appointed by the President acting in consultation with the Council of State. It doesn’t make the appointment subject to Parliamentary approval.
“When it comes to [Supreme Court] judges, from Article 144 onwards, you see that they go through parliamentary approval. It’s not perfect but that’s an attempt and all the people of Ghana, represented by the MPs vote to accept the judges so you see that they work across administrations,” stated Mr. Kpebu.
