I Had No Hand In Leaked Audio- Dampare

The Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akufo Damapare has confronted allegations and accusations that have risen after a leaked audio plotting his ousting head-on.

This was during his turn before the Ad-hoc Committee probing the audio on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

The IGP was accused of being the mastermind behind the audio recording and leakage by implicated COP George Alex Mensah during his appearance before the Committee on September 1, 2023.

But Dr Dampare denied the allegation affirming he never liaised with Bugri Naabu- another person implicated in the leaked audio- to get the officers tapped.

“I didn’t play any role in the leakage of the audio,” he told the Committee.

Alliance With Bugri Naabu
The IGP also denied any form of alliance exists between himself and the former Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bugri Naabu.

He admitted to knowing the Namong chief but highlighted that his knowledge of him is superficial as he is an acquaintance.

He also affirmed that Bugri Naabu has never visited his office.

And on allegations that the politician has a commercial relationship with the Police Service as propagated in a new leaked audio, the IGP rebutted.

“That is some of the falsehood that has been put out there,” he added.

Worst IGP
When asked for his reaction to claims that he is the worst IGP by COP Mensah, Dampare replied, “Hon Chair I think my brother wanted to say I am the best… but maybe it was a slip of the tongue.”

He said together with other management boards of the Service, they have committed to transforming the institution to be the best after being students under past police administrations during which they studied the flaws and challenges of their forbearers. He said the current administration is improving and filling the gaps they realised with new policies which will have an impact on their successors.

“We want to be the best and we are getting there… It is not true that my administration is the worst,” he stated as he outlined some of the over forty-eight interventions his administration has instituted.

“We are in the quest of making sure that the institution becomes better than we came to meet it.”

POMAB snub
The Committee also slapped the IGP with allegations of single-handedly manning the Police Service to which he responded, “It’s falsehood”.

He noted that together with the Police Management Board (POMAB) decisions are taken on all issues.

He said he holds frequent meetings with the Board even at odd times and weekends due to the demands and nature of the professions.

Additionally, he said decision-making is decentralized as regional quarters are given the chance to contribute to them.

“It’s not about Dampare. The police is an institution with management structures. Decisions are taken with contributions from regional departments.”

He added, “…if that someone sits somewhere to make that allegation it is because that person doesn’t wish the institution well.”

Promotions
On the promotion of junior officers, the IGP stated, “There is no hold up of any junior officer’s promotion.”

He said Junior Officers due for promotion are being advanced for promotion in December.