The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has pledged the commitment of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) to the country’s democratic governance system.
Dr. Dampare made the pledge when some Members of Parliament (MPs) presented the Democracy Cup to him and the Police Administration at its headquarters in Accra yesterday.
Having pledged his outfit’s commitment to the democratic governance of the country, Dr. Dampare further lauded the citizenry and political leaders for ensuring that the country went through a successful change of government.
“I always likened our democratic dispensation to a building. As a country, since independence, we have had four different buildings. The first, second, third, and fourth republics. Three of the buildings collapsed, and we have the fourth building, which we have been able to manage and maintain for 31 and half years.
“It shows one thing: Ghanaians, as a people, we are committed to our democratic dispensation, and we within the Police Service and the other security services are also committed in ensuring that we play our part and make sure that this building continue to endure, and the endurance would be possible if we continue to nourish our foundation structure and keep maintaining it in a manner that would sustain us as we go forward in our country,” Dr. Dampare was quoted as saying.
He lauded the leadership of Parliament for the Democracy Cup initiative and underscored the need for its sustenance.
Additionally, the IGP advocated for the initiative to be replicated at all institutional levels to enable “our young ones have the knowledge of the importance of continuing maintaining our democracy.”
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, said the Democracy Cup was part of the series of events carved out to mark the 30th Republic Day anniversary, which commenced last year.
According to him, the Democracy Cup presented a message of a united front, irrespective of one’s individual or group differences in enhancing the democracy of the country.
He stated that the initiative aimed to promote a united front in enhancing the country’s democratic fabric, with the involvement of the GPS and the Ministry of Defence being crucial to maintaining peace and security.
Mr. Amoako noted that the essence of the Democracy Cup was to enable the citizenry to have a sense of ownership of the country’s democracy, despite its shortcomings.
Additionally, he indicated that the sustenance of the country’s democracy was partly dependent on the security agencies.
He eulogised the IGP for his innovation and effective leadership to the Ghana Police Service.
According to him, the IGP and the current Police Management Board have held the country together in furtherance of its democratic credentials.
“We believe that a major part of the success of our democracy depends on the Ghana Police Service. We are here to present this Democracy Cup to you, IGP, as symbolic gesture so that as the holder of the peace of this country we can implore you to continue holding our peace together as you have always done with your administration since you took over. We are grateful for your leadership,” he stated.
The Democracy Cup would be played today between two of Ghana’s successful football clubs, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
By Nafisatu Abdul Razak