Director of Operations for the Ghana Police Service, COP George Alex Mensah, has expressed remorse after a private conversation he had with Bugri Naabu, the former Northern Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), was leaked to the public.

The recorded conversation, which was later made public, purportedly contained discussions about a plan to oust Dr George Akuffo Dampare, who holds the position of Inspector General of Police.

An ad-hoc committee set up by the Speaker of Parliament to investigate the issue has been interrogating persons implicated in the audio.

COP George Alex Mensah, who was grilled for hours when he appeared before the committee on Thursday, August 31, and September 1, vehemently denied the authenticity of the audio.

The Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, who is currently on leave pending retirement in September 2023, stated that he could not confirm the authenticity of the audio because it was “seriously edited.”

When he was asked if he had any regrets following the leaked audio, COP Mensah said, “Honestly, yes, because I thought I was speaking to a well-respected confidential friend. I didn’t know that I was just speaking to such a person [who would record our conversation].”

During his interrogation, COP Mensah disclosed how he, through the former Northern Regional Chairman, tried to lobby for the IGP position.

Bugri Naabu, who recorded the leaked tape, confirmed its authenticity when he appeared before the committee on Monday.