On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, tensions in the Ghanaian Parliament rose in the wake of a leaked recording on which senior police officers were purportedly heard plotting to unseat the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare.

Per portions of the leaked tape gone viral on social media, some anonymous individuals expressed concern over the ability of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to break the 8 should Dr Akuffo Dampare remain in office.

MP for Nandom and Minister of the Interior for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ambrose Dery, and other lawmakers were making an effort to dismiss the allegation made in the tape by asserting that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had no plans to fire IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs, however, asserted that the claims stated on the recording are grave and require more investigation.

One of the MPs who argued in favor of the NDC MPs was Haruna Iddrisu, the MP for Tamale South and former minority leader. She claimed that the security implications in the leaked audio are too serious to ignore.

He claimed that the problems raised in the audio are problematic for both Ghana's democracy and the safety and security of its citizens.

“We collectively want to preserve this democracy. So, what the deputy leader is seeking is that… this house must take interest in conducting a thorough forensic audit into the leaked tape; Mr Speaker, in other to establish the veracity or otherwise of what is contained in that tape.

“And more importantly Mr Speaker to preserve the professional integrity of the Inspector General of Police (Dr George Akuffo Dampare) and to protect him thereon,” he said.

“The word free and fair has constitutional meaning. When the constitution says that elections shall be conducted in a manner which is free. Free from what?

“Free from fear, free intimidation, free from influence – it has a meaning… So, Mr Speaker to preserve our democracy and protect the professional integrity of the Inspector General of Police and to appreciate what Dampare is doing in preserving this, we are requesting for parliamentary enquire into the leaked tape,” he concluded.

Minister for Interior, Ambrose Dery, has dismissed claims that the government seeks to remove from office, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, as part of its measures to retain power come 2024 elections.

Interacting with the press in Parliament on Tuesday, July 12, Mr Ambrose Dery indicated that the government has been impressed with the work of the current Police administration.

According to the minister, the mantra 'law is a respecter of no persons' has been personified under the leadership of Dr George Akuffo Dampare, who was sworn in as the 23rd Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service in October 2021.

Also, Mr Dery maintained that President Akufo-Addo remains committed to providing Ghanaians a security system that treats all equal before the law.

He concluded by emphasising that "this government is not going to tamper with the 2024 elections."