The leaked tape implicating high-ranking officials allegedly conspiring to remove Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare from office has been described as “authentic and not fake” according to former Special Prosecutor, Martin A. B. K. Amidu.
In a written statement, Mr. Amidu confirmed the validity of the leaked 50-minute recording, saying he once represented one of the voices he recognised as a client whilst working as a lawyer in the Northern region.
Mr. Amidu further noted that he has personally been in the Accra office of the person in question and witnessed their tendency to receive phone calls during serious discussions, which he believes could explain the presence of a recording.
In the statement, the former Special Prosecutor also asserted that inexperienced individuals may feel at ease due to the interruptions caused by incoming calls.
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The tape to oust the IGP was leaked on July 11, 2023, implicating a commissioner of police and some leaders of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The discussions as indicated in the recording says the current IGP, if not ousted from office, will hamper the NPP’s chances of winning the 2024 elections.
Meanwhile, government has described the tape as baseless, vehemently dismissing the content through the Minister of the Interior, Ambrose Dery.
According to Martin Amidu, one police officer named Mr. Mensah who has four months remaining on terminal leave before exiting the Police Service is also heard on the leaked tape engaging in discussions against the IGP with police officers on various platforms.
The behaviour of the said police officer, according Mr. Amidu, is a deep rooted canker through which people get preferential treatment and higher positions in the police service.
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Alleging that the IGP was selected for the position based on demonstrated loyalty to the government, Mr. Amidu asserted that discussions regarding his predecessor’s replacement began long before their departure.
Mr. Amidu claimed personal knowledge that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who chairs the Police Council and oversaw the meeting that formally recommended Dampare’s appointment to the President, was a strong supporter of Dampare even before the IGP position became vacant.
According to Mr. Amidu, vacancies in the office of the IGP always lead to lobbying and manoeuvring among the top ranks of the Police Administration, especially when limited positions are available. He drew upon his own experiences as a former member of the Ghana Police Council and Minister for the Interior, stating that senior police officers frequently lobbied for enhanced positions and shared stories about their competitors.
Characterising the content of the leaked tape as typical of the Ghana Police Service, the former Attorney General and Minister for Justice cited Dampare’s relatively young age which could see him occupying the position for a longer tenure as part of reasons provoking further scheming and manoeuvring among senior police officers seeking his early removal from office.
