Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Ohene Ntow, has commended the exceptional security arrangements implemented by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare during the December 7 elections, stating that these measures were pivotal in ensuring the country’s stability.
In an appearance on TV3 on Saturday, December 14, Nana Ohene Ntow called on Ghanaians to “stand up” and celebrate the IGP for his comprehensive security plan, especially considering the immense pressure he faced. He noted that political parties have recognized the boldness and expertise demonstrated by IGP Dampare throughout the electoral process.
“To be frank, Ghanaians must stand up for Dampare. His security arrangement and strategic planning saved this country. But for him and his team, this country would have probably tipped over. We saw how some recalcitrant soldiers behaved, but Dampare insisted that the only time the military would be officially deployed would be under his instruction, and he stayed committed to his promise. God bless him for the work he did,” stated Nana Ohene Ntow. He emphasized the importance of commending leaders who exceed expectations, urging the public to recognize their contributions just as readily as they criticize those who do not perform.
In a related development, Professor Ransford Gyampo, a political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, defended IGP Dampare against recent criticisms made by ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo, labeling those comments as unwarranted and unfair.
During a discussion, Professor Gyampo praised the IGP for his transformative leadership of the Ghana Police Service, which he believes has significantly improved the institution’s reputation and effectiveness. “This criticism is unfair and unfortunate. Respectfully, even though there’s freedom of speech, it shouldn’t be misused,” he remarked.
He highlighted Dr. Dampare’s resilience in the face of challenges, his commitment to fairness during the elections, and his principled stance against conflicting orders. Professor Gyampo further noted that IGP Dampare has garnered praise from various political factions, including opposition parties, for his impartiality and professionalism.
“This is the only IGP who has survived attempts at removal for executing his duties effectively. He successfully halted a planned massive deployment of soldiers intended to disrupt the voting process in the recent elections,” he stated, underscoring that Dampare’s reforms have been profoundly felt across Ghana.