President John Mahama has sworn in Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The ceremony took place on Friday, March 14, at the Jubilee House following the removal of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare from office on March 13.
Addressing dignitaries at the swearing-in ceremony at the Jubilee House in Accra, President Mahama said the Police Service is a cornerstone of Ghana’s democracy, playing an indispensable role in safeguarding the country’s peace, ensuring law and order, and protecting the fundamental rights of citizens.
“As we all know, security is the foundation of development, without safety and stability, businesses cannot thrive. Children cannot go to school in peace, and our communities will not prosper. It is for this reason that the leadership of the Ghana Police Service is of paramount importance,” he said.
President Mahama indicated that the appointment of COP Yohuno as IGP comes at a time when the security landscape is rapidly evolving, stating that traditional policing methods must be adopted to confront new and emerging threats and crimes.
“We face increasing incidents of violent crime, cybercrime, and fraud, as well as new forms of organised crime that demand sophisticated investigative techniques. The global security environment on the other hand presents fresh challenges, from terrorism to transnational criminal networks, which require strong intelligence gathering and proactive law enforcement,” he added.
Mr. Mahama further underscored the expectation of Ghanaians in the Police Service, indicating that, “they want to see a Police Service that is not only professional and disciplined but also one that is fair and just. They want to be reassured that when they report crimes, they receive a swift and impartial response. They want to trust that the Police Service will act in their best interest, free from undue influence and without discrimination.”
To achieve this, President Mahama proposed that the IGP should ensure that his leadership is rooted in integrity, discipline, and innovation, saying, “The Ghana Police Service must continue to reform itself to meet the needs of our ever-changing society. Intelligence-led policing, community engagement, and effective deployment of modern technology must be at the core of our law enforcement strategy.”
President Mahama also warned COP Yohuno about corruption in law enforcement which undermines justice and weakens public confidence in the agencies, stating that it is crucial for the IGP to ensure that all forms of unethical behaviour, from bribery to the abuse of power are decisively dealt with.
“We must build a service that is respected, both locally and internationally for its professionalism and integrity. Additionally, I want to emphasise the importance of improving the welfare of officers under your commitment, policing is a very demanding profession that requires sacrifice and dedication.
“You are the backbone of our national security framework. Your dedication and sacrifices keep our country safe. Know that the government is committed to providing you with the necessary resources, and training, and carrying out the necessary reforms to enable you to carry out your duties effectively,” he added.
Dampare Expresses Gratitude
Following the swearing-in of the new Inspector General of Police, former IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has expressed his profound gratitude to Ghanaians for their unwavering support during his tenure in office.
Dr. Dampare, who made history as the youngest IGP in the Fourth Republic, reflected on the overwhelming love and encouragement he has received from both loved ones and well-wishers across the nation and around the globe.
In a statement issued by his Executive Secretary, Nana Osei Afrifa, he extended his sincere thanks to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the opportunity to serve as IGP and acknowledged the cordial working relationship he had with current President John Dramani Mahama during their brief time together.
The former police chief also expressed appreciation to religious and traditional leaders for their prayers and wise counsel, which he deemed invaluable throughout his service.
Pending Suit
The president fired the IGP and other heads of the security agencies in spite of a pending suit and an application for an interim injunction at the Supreme Court challenging his powers to do so.
The suit and the subsequent application filed by the Imani Centre for Policy and Education and Prof. Kwesi Aning is asking the apex court to restrain the President or his agents and assigns from sacking any of the heads of the uniformed security services pending the determination of a suit challenging the age-old phenomenon of these appointees losing their jobs as a result of a change in government.
They argue that by the Constitution of Ghana, the President has no authority to terminate the appointment or remove from office a person occupying the office of these security agencies unless only upon proven stated misconduct or misbehaviour established against these office holders.
It is their case that the president can only terminate their appointment on grounds of incapacity to perform the functions of the office because of the infirmity of mind or body or death or retirement or upon resignation by the office holder.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke