2024 polls: Dampare’s security arrangements saved Ghana

Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Ohene Ntow, has commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, for his exceptional security measures during the December 7 polls. According to Ohene Ntow, Dampare’s strategic planning and leadership played a crucial role in ensuring peace and stability during the elections.

Speaking on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, the close associate of Alan Kyerematen emphasized that the IGP’s efforts deserved recognition.

“Ghanaians must rise and applaud Dampare for his work. His strategic security planning saved the country. Given the pressure he faced, his performance was remarkable,” he said.

Ohene Ntow highlighted that political parties were particularly impressed by Dampare’s bold leadership and expertise.

“We witnessed the conduct of some unruly soldiers, yet Dampare maintained that the military would only be deployed under his explicit instructions. He stood firm on this promise, and for that, God bless him,” he added.

He further called on citizens to appreciate exceptional leadership, urging the same level of praise for outstanding leaders as is given to criticisms of underperforming ones.

In a related development, Professor Ransford Gyampo, a political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, has come to the defense of IGP Dampare following criticisms by retired police officer ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo.

Professor Gyampo, speaking on Thursday, described Agordzo’s remarks as unfair and unnecessary, asserting that Dampare’s leadership had transformed the Ghana Police Service and significantly enhanced its reputation.

“While freedom of speech is important, my respected retired officer’s comments are unwarranted,” Gyampo stated.

He praised the IGP for his resilience, fairness during the elections, and refusal to bow to orders that contradicted his principles. According to Gyampo, Dampare’s leadership has been widely recognized, even by opposition parties, for its impartiality and professionalism.

“This is the first IGP to withstand attempts by his appointing authority to remove him for doing his job effectively. He also successfully prevented the planned excessive deployment of soldiers to certain voting centers, which could have caused chaos,” Gyampo remarked.

He lauded Dampare’s reforms, emphasizing that they had positively reshaped policing in Ghana and earned him widespread admiration across the political spectrum.