News:
July 12, 2024
Mr. Samuel Atta Akyea, the Chairman of the ad hoc committee investigating a leaked tape regarding a plot to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare from office, has criticized the committee’s report, describing it as ‘anaemic’ and lacking substance for any parliamentary action.
According to the chairman he failed to sign the report that accused three senior police officers—COP Alex George Mensah, Supt. George Lysander Asare, and Supt. Emmanuel Eric Gyebi of misconduct; a major offence under police regulations, recommending they be sanctioned according to police disciplinary procedures.
However, during the Parliamentary debate, Mr Akyea urged the House to reject the report, citing that it lacks logical foundation.
He further said, “I want to submit with the greatest of respect that this report reduced parliament and the good committee of parliament to a conveyor belt that anything they drop on it should go. You do not just listen to people who come before a committee and that will bring you to a conclusion of the matter. You delve into the matters. A committee of parliament is not a conveyor belt. They’re supposed to delve into this matter. And on that showing, this report is so anaemic.”
In addition, “It lacks substance for plenary to find, with the greatest of respect. I urge this House to reject this report because there is no foundation of evidence for this report. And we shouldn’t make a resolution based on such an anaemic report.”
In response, Mr. James Agalga, the Vice Chairman of the ad hoc committee, countered Akyea’s remarks, accusing him of misrepresenting the facts.
“Mr. Speaker, quite a number of issues have been raised, which constitutes a gross misrepresentation of the facts and of the report…in the course of the committee’s deliberations, the chairman had the opportunity to raise the arguments that he has canvassed before this house this evening that we could not elevate conspiracy to the level of our criminal jurisprudence under section 23 of the criminal and other offences act and we all agreed as a result of that intervention.”
Finally, the majority leader, Mr Alexander Afenyo Markin in his contribution added that, the NPP government led by President Akufo-Addo would never remove the IGP from his position as some members of NDC Minority are trying to portray to Ghanaians that, President Akufo-Addo wants to base on the committee’s report to get Dr Dampare out of office.
He explained that, looking at the good job of the IGP and reforms he is introducing would sure meet some opposition because some people who benefit from the old ways of doing things would surely dislike the new reform.
Ghanamps.com