The Dependent Nature Of IGP’s Office Poses A Threat To Its Stability – Kofi Bentil

Lawyer and Senior Vice President and Policy Analyst with Imani Ghana, Kofi Bentil has expressed worry with regards to the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Mr Bentil says that the office of the IGP, which depends on the executive arms of government, poses a threat to the stability of the institution.

According to him, since the office is not an independent institution, the President can choose to replace the IGP anytime he wants.

Mr. Bentil’s concerns follow the release of a leaked tape that contains allegations that the NPP or the government is planning to remove the IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare from office in an effort to manipulate the upcoming General Election in 2024.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Saturday, July 15, the lawyer pointed out that, “When people see that there is an opportunity to do some of these things, they get the confidence to do so. Why would anybody say, let the president move this person so that somebody else will be there?

“Because it can be done. And my worry is that we have an IGP office which is not independent. And indeed the president can just sit down one day and move him. That weakness is a threat to the stability of that institution.”

He then emphasised that this is a problem that requires Parliament to ensure the IGP’s office is independent of the executive branch.

Mr Bentil further argued that it is abnormal to have a situation whereby the IGP is an extension of the executive and, in turn, gives the executive the power to either appoint or dismiss him.

He advocated that Parliament must amend the section of the constitution that vests power in the executive to determine the responsibilities of the IGP.

The lawyer stressed that “It is time for us to amend that section so that his removal cannot be that easy. Then that weakness cannot be exploited for us to hear it in the tape that somebody wants him removed so that he can be put there”.

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