Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has come under fire for his handling of election-related violence.
Security analyst Andrews Asiedu Tetteh has criticized the IGP for what he described as weak leadership, which has allowed political tensions to escalate into violence before and after elections.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio “Frontline” program, Mr. Asiedu Tetteh blamed both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for inciting their followers to engage in lawless behaviour.
He accused political leaders of fueling unrest by encouraging their supporters to confront authorities and take unlawful actions.
“The invasion of state facilities by some suspected NDC members is a direct result of their political leaders’ rhetoric,” he alleged.
According to the analyst, such incidents had been predicted by security experts well in advance of the elections, yet no decisive action was taken to prevent them.
Mr. Asiedu Tetteh expressed disappointment in IGP Dampare’s performance, citing his inability to take decisive action against offenders as a key failure.
“What we are witnessing is not surprising. Before the elections, some politicians openly incited their supporters to act recklessly, and now these individuals feel emboldened,” he remarked.
The analyst also called for Dr. Dampare to be removed from office, arguing that his failure to arrest and prosecute offenders undermines the rule of law.
“As a police officer, your duty is to uphold the law without fear or favour. Pleasing politicians should never take precedence over enforcing justice,” he stated.
In addition to criticizing the IGP, Mr. Asiedu Tetteh also directed blame at former President John Dramani Mahama and ex-President Nana Akufo-Addo for their roles in failing to address security concerns.
He accused Mr. Mahama of not reining in NDC supporters when they engaged in destructive activities and faulted Mr. Akufo-Addo for neglecting to address security challenges during his tenure.
“Both leaders bear responsibility for allowing this culture of impunity to fester,” he added.
The security analyst’s comments highlight growing concerns over the politicization of Ghana’s security apparatus and the need for impartiality and firmness in enforcing the law, particularly during election periods.
