There is controversy over the sacking of Dr George Akuffo Dampare as Inspector General of Police (IGP).

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On March 13, Policy think tank IMANI Africa and security analyst Professor Kwesi Aning have jointly filed an injunction at the Supreme Court to prevent President John Dramani Mahama from dismissing the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare and other heads of security services.

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The injunction, filed at the Supreme Court, seeks to challenge the President’s authority to terminate the appointment of key public officers without proven misconduct.

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The plaintiffs, IMANI Africa and Professor Kwesi Aning, argue that the removal of the IGP, along with other heads of uniformed security services, should only occur in cases of established misconduct or misbehaviour.

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They emphasise that the President does not have the power to make fresh appointments to these positions unless the current officeholders are deceased, incapacitated, or have resigned.

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The motion for an interlocutory injunction was filed on March 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Ghana. The plaintiffs are seeking an order to restrain the Attorney-General, the President, and the respective councils of the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Police Service, National Fire Service, and Ghana Prisons Service from removing, terminating, dismissing, or suspending the heads of these services pending the final determination of the case.

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Now, President Mahama 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.

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This is what the said law stipulates on "INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE AND APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF POLICE SERVICE"

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(1) The Inspector-General of Police shall be appointed by the President acting in consultation with the Council of State.(2) The Inspector-General of Police shall be head of the Police Service and shall, subject to the provisions of this article and to the control and direction of the Police Council, be responsible for the operational control and the administration of the Police Service.(3) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the power to appoint persons to hold or to act in an office in the Police Service shall vest in the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Police Council(4) The President may, subject to such conditions as he thinks fit, delegate some of his functions under this article by directions in writing to the Police Council or to a committee or to a member of the Council.

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Constitution of GhanaDownload

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