The Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare, has faced criticism from Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) representing South Dayi.

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This criticism comes in response to a directive by the IGP for all police bodyguards of MPs to surrender their weapons to the nearest police station in Assin North ahead of the by-election scheduled for Tuesday, June 27.

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While the IGP stated that the directive was aimed at ensuring a peaceful election, Dafeamekpor expressed his disagreement, asserting that the directive was unconstitutional.

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Speaking to journalists in Assin North, he argued that the IGP did not possess the authority to issue such a directive.

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However, speaking to journalists in Assin North, Dafeamekpor said the IGP had no right to give such a directive, as it was unconstitutional.

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“Bodyguards attached to MPs are part of their conditions of service. The IGP has no power to vary the conditions of service of a sitting MP in the same way he has no power to vary the conditions of service of a superior court judge in this republic.”

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“So for him to issue a statement and say that Police bodyguards of MPs should surrender their weapons to the nearest Police Station is unlawful and unconstitutional,” he stated.

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Dafeamekpor said the directive was an attempt to intimidate and harass MPs, and he called on the IGP to withdraw it immediately.

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The directive by the IGP has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have argued that it is a necessary measure to ensure a peaceful election, while others have criticized it as being unconstitutional.

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