Police officers have been encouraged to adopt the qualities of the current Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, as an example to follow.
In contrast, they have been advised not to look up to Commissioner of Police (COP) George Alex Mensah, who is the outgoing Director-General of Operations of the Ghana Police Service.
This counsel was provided by the Member of Parliament for Tamale North Constituency, Alhassan Sayibo Suhuyini, during an interview with the media on Saturday, September 16.
This guidance stems from the recent appearances of both senior officers before an ad hoc committee of Parliament investigating a leaked audio tape allegedly involving individuals plotting the removal of IGP Dampare.
According to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmaker, IGP Dampare exhibited greater maturity and professionalism compared to COP Alex Mensah.
“I have said it that police officers and especially because these days, our police officers, many of them, get the opportunity to wear uniforms as a result of their relationships with politicians, many of them.
“Because of that I am saying that police officers who want to be professionals and rise despite how they got into into the Service must make it a point to listen to the two officers.
“They should listen to the two officers who appeared before the committee and make a conscious decision not to be an Alex Mensah but to be a Dampare despite your political affiliation.”
He stressed that police officers, particularly those who may have entered the service due to political connections, should heed the examples set by these two officers.
Suhuyini emphasized the importance of aspiring to be professionals within the police force and advised officers to choose to follow in the footsteps of IGP Dampare, regardless of their political affiliations.
He noted that, despite their apparent political ties, IGP Dampare demonstrated professionalism and class during his appearance before the committee. In contrast, COP Alex Mensah was viewed as less professional by the MP.
IGP Dampare had appeared before the Atta Akyea committee on Tuesday, September 12, where he responded to allegations made by senior officers, including COP Alex Mensah, whom he referred to as his “senior brother.” Dampare dismissed these allegations as “baseless” and “unfounded.”