Leaked tape saga: COP Mensah is covetous – Prof. Gyampo

A political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Edward Van Gyampo, has stated that the submissions of COP Alex Mensah before the committee enquiring into the alleged leaked tape plotting the removal of the IGP suggest covetousness.

In Facebook posts on Saturday, September 2, Prof. Gyampo argued that the position of IGP of the Ghana Police Service requires diligence and commitment to duty, not for the pleasure of it.

“The nauseating covetousness for the position of IGP by self-confessed party apparatchiks in the Police Service must be called out. It’s not about merely seeking to occupy positions and be chauffeured driven like a useless tin-god. It’s about rolling sleeves to get the work done. It’s about the strong will, commitment and loyalty to duty and to mother Ghana”, he posited.

Prof. Gyampo also condemned the tendency for appointees to further the partisan interests of the appointing authorities rather than the nation.

“The quest for any opportunity to promote partisan interest in a manner that can jeopardize the national interest and undermine our peace must be “killed” when exposed or publicly confessed in that brazen manner”, he said.

On the issue of the competence of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, he contended that “any description of the current IGP as the worst in the past 31 years is a palpable display of mental dementia.”

He stated further that if there was anyone who had been “most unfairly treated” in relation to the position or IGP, it was COP Nathaniel Kofi Boakye, who retired earlier this year.

“KB [Kofi Boakye] was the most unfairly treated Police Officer. He had all it took to become an IGP but was never allowed to serve Ghana in that capacity. He has however been very professional and patriotic with his public comments. Who are you?”

Background

Former NPP Northern Regional Chairman Bugri Naabu and COP Alex Mensah have been testifying before a 7-person committee led by lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea over the alleged leaked audios.

The Speaker of Parliament demanded an investigation into the purported government plans to fire the IGP after two sets of audios leaked.

A senior police officer is heard in the initial audio leak pleading for political backing to have IGP Dampare removed.

Several media sources released the 50-minute audio tape along with some of the transcription.

In addition, it was stated in the leak that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who is running to be the NPP’s nominee, doesn’t like the IGP.

A second leak detailing the purported scheme by some members of the Ghana Police Service to remove the IGP included graphics from a video, according to details of a separate report on the second leak’s audio.

Additionally, a screenshot of the alleged scheme from the allegedly leaked film was made public.

The removal of the IGP was reportedly plotted by a superintendent of police by the name of Asare.