The dismissal of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has sparked debate, with a notable exchange between Special Aide to President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, and IMANI Africa President Franklin Cudjoe on social media.

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Tensions arose following an injunction filed at the Supreme Court by IMANI Africa and security analyst Professor Kwesi Aning on March 13. The application sought to prevent President Mahama from removing heads of security services, including the IGP. However, by the evening, Dr. Dampare was relieved of his post.

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Taking to the X platform on Thursday night, Joyce Bawah Mogtari questioned the legal challenge against Dampare’s removal, stating:

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"They sat aloof and watched askance as our country was mismanaged, and looked on as former President Akufo-Addo made reckless financial decisions and just as many frivolous appointments. Now they run to the Supreme Court to stop President Mahama from sacking IGP Dampare. Indeed it is trite learning that Leaders have to appoint persons loyal to them, especially when it comes to the safety and security of the country."

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Responding to her statement, Franklin Cudjoe emphasized that IMANI's legal action was not a reaction to Dampare's removal but part of a long-standing case filed months prior. He explained:

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"This case began in March 2024, not today. JM was not president. Please read below… Alright, folks, the President has decided that he no longer requires the services of Dr. Dampare as the IGP. He may well be within his rights to do so, and no one can begrudge him for making his decision. However, l would like to clarify that this morning's injunction filed by our lawyers was in furtherance of a suit filed by IMANI and Prof. Kwesi Aning LAST YEAR, MARCH 2024 at the Supreme Court, 9 months before the December elections. It is not a fresh case."

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He further clarified that their legal argument was centered on constitutional interpretations, stating:

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"We were asking the apex court to issue a declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of the letter and spirit of Articles 200, 202(1), 202(2), 202(3), 205, 207(1), 207(2), 207(3), 190(1), 191,196, 199, and 269 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the President of the Republic of Ghana has no authority to terminate the appointment or removal from office heads of the agencies unless only upon proven stated misconduct or misbehavior established against these office holders."

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Bawah Mogtari later clarified her comments, stating that her initial post was not meant to undermine IMANI Africa’s position but rather to express her disagreement with opposing views on Dampare’s removal. She responded:

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"My Boss, let me first state that this was a general statement and a reference to other commentaries on the subject matter. My comment is not calculated to undermine your position, and work or the outcome of the case before the SC. Yes, I have heard you raise several points about matters of great importance, including the fact that you have been in court since 2024. Yes, even at the time, I said that we should allow a president to appoint, especially to the security agencies, individuals aligned to his/her vision."

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In response, Franklin Cudjoe questioned her earlier assertion, stating:

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"You mean IMANI sat aloof and watched Nana Addo make reckless decisions? Really? Thanks."

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Meanwhile, the government has appointed Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohunu as the new IGP, in line with Articles 91 and 202 of the 1992 Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State. A government statement highlighted Yohunu’s four decades of experience and noted that he "is expected to oversee the modernization and transformation of the Ghana Police Service."

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Prior to his appointment, COP Yohunu served as the Deputy IGP, a position he was appointed to by former President Akufo-Addo in July last year.

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