Parliament is set to investigate an alleged clandestine plot to oust Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, from his position ahead of the 2024 general elections as contained in a leaked tape currently circulating publicly.
The decision comes after the Minority in Parliament called for a probe into the matter, urging the House to establish the veracity of the secret recording.
The audio recording captures influential members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a senior police official discussing the potential consequences of keeping the current IGP in office, with concerns that it could hinder the NPP’s plans to rig the upcoming elections.
Deputy Minority leader, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, emphasized the significance of the matter in an urgent statement, highlighting its impact on two critical institutions: the Ghana Police Service and the stability of the country’s democracy.
He stressed the need for the House to investigate to authenticate the leaked tape and take appropriate action against those involved if its authenticity is confirmed.
However, the Majority members did not support the proposed investigation.
MP for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Boamah, argued against the notion of using the IGP to manipulate elections, citing past instances where governments that controlled the police service still lost elections.
MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, called for a thorough forensic audit of the leaked tape, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding national security and protecting the professional integrity of the IGP.
While Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, rejected the accusations of election rigging, he expressed no objection to Parliament probing the leaked tape to establish its authenticity and ensure the security of the state and its democracy.
In his ruling, Speaker Alban Bagbin requested the Deputy Minority leader to submit the statement in written form to provide clearer guidance.
He acknowledged that the contributions made during the discussion raises more questions than answers, emphasizing the need for an investigation to be conducted by the appropriate committee of the House.
Parliament’s decision to investigate the alleged plot reflects the gravity of the situation, aiming to shed light on the matter and uphold the integrity of the Ghana Police Service and the democratic process.