Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has called on the government to avoid actions that might suggest bias towards the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.

Kofi Bentil, while expressing his support for Dr. Bawumia, emphasized that any victory should be achieved through legitimate means.

“I support Dr. Bawumia, but if he is to win this election, it must be fair and square,” Bentil stated.

His remarks come in the wake of President Akufo-Addo's appointment of Commissioner of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Deputy Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in charge of Operations.

The appointment has sparked debate, with some Ghanaians questioning whether it is an attempt to undermine IGP Dr. George Dampare.

Concerns have been raised about the possibility of this move being a strategy to "clip the wings" of Dr. Dampare or even remove him from his position.

During an appearance on Joy FM’s Newsfile, Mr Bentil criticized the President’s decision, arguing that appointing a deputy IGP with specific responsibilities might reinforce allegations of a plot to oust Dr. Dampare.

He highlighted that the NPP had previously demonstrated its commitment to Dr. Dampare’s tenure by voting with the minority in Parliament to accept the Commission’s report, indicating no problem with the IGP.

Despite this, Bentil expressed concern over recent actions by some government operatives that seem to contradict this stance.

“Now you clearly have a situation where operatives within this same government have gone to do something which is clearly not permitted within the law, so it brings back that situation,” he noted.

Bentil warned that such actions could negatively impact public perception and undermine trust in the electoral process. He advised that meaningful dialogue and transparent practices are essential for changing minds and ensuring a fair election outcome.

“Dr. Bawumia is campaigning, so those operatives who think that undermining the process is a way to win the election are wrong and should stop it!” he asserted.