(L-R) Dr George Akuffo Dampare, Martin Kpebu and John Dramani Mahama
Renowned legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has claimed that former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, excessively lobbied to be retained in office.
According to Kpebu, a source close to the presidency revealed that Dr. Dampare made persistent efforts to secure his position under President John Dramani Mahama.
He stated that the president felt harassed due to the overwhelming number of calls he received, urging him to retain the former IGP.
“Let me say this so that people can learn. My sources say Dampare overdid the lobbying, he went too far.
“I hear that everywhere the president went, many people were telling him, ‘Keep Dampare, keep Dampare.’ He went into overdrive. I understand the president felt harassed, he was overwhelmed,” Kpebu said.
The lawyer also suggested that the ongoing Supreme Court case, which challenges the president’s authority to remove heads of security agencies, is unlikely to reverse President Mahama’s decision to dismiss Dr. Dampare.
He explained that if the Supreme Court rules that IGPs and other security agency heads cannot be removed before their tenure ends, the ruling could impact future appointments rather than past decisions.
“When the Supreme Court delivers its interpretation, it will also decide whether the ruling applies prospectively or retrospectively. You remember the Domelevo case? By the time the ruling came, it was too late, the horses had already bolted, and Domelevo had retired.
“So it means that if a favorable ruling comes, it will most likely apply to future IGPs rather than reinstating past ones,” he explained.
Kpebu further emphasised that the IGP position is a security role, not one that operates with complete independence from the government.
“The IGP is a security position. Each president appoints their own IGP,” he added.
On March 13, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama relieved Inspector General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare of his duties.
He subsequently appointed COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Inspector General of Police.
A statement issued by the Minister of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed that the appointment was made in accordance with the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State.
“President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Articles 91 and 202 of the 1992 Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, appointed Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the Inspector General of Police.”
“He replaces COP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare. COP Yohuno brings forty years of experience to the position of IGP and is expected to oversee the modernization and transformation of the Ghana Police Service,” the statement read.
BAI/MA
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