Goodbye, our favourite IGP!

"Dampare's hard work, professionalism, accessibility, openess and simplicity is the best Ghana has had in recent times."

The removal of the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare from office by the President hasn't come as a surprise to close political watchers.

Rumours of his removal had dangled around his neck like the Sword of Damocles since the last elections.

First, it was the former president, Akufo-Addo who tossed up the idea of his replacement with just a few days to the conclusion of his presidency. But finding the decision unpopular, he shelved the idea and left the Jubilee House cursing the IGP for not playing ball with the NPP during the elections.

Many sympathisers of the party felt Mr. Dampare was complicit in the NPP's massive electoral defeat. They accused him for halting any opacity and manoeuvering that could have enhanced the party's chances at the polls.

While in opposition, the NDC praised Dr. Dampare to the heavens for protecting the ballot box, and for making sure that the will of the people prevailed.

Indeed, that the elections was hugely successful in spite of the spotlight of chaos mounted by party foot-soldiers against law and order was as a result of professional policing.

If the police hadn't prioritised human life over criminality, caution over impunity, more party fanatics would have lost their lives as a direct consequence of their actions.

Indeed, Dampare and his team won my admiration for their professional management of these irritant partisan disturbances and misbehaviours.

When the NDC won the elections and rode elegantly to the Jubilee House, it was on the echelons of a security service

well oiled to defend and preserve the peace of this country.

Dampare and his team have dealt a death blow to armed robbery and other criminal activities that sought to unsettle the peace of this country in our recent past. The days of virulent daylight robbery have receeded quickly into oblivion, making Ghana an oasis of peace, stability and democracy under his watch.

This IGP's hard work, professionalism, public relations skills, openess and simplicity is the best Ghana has enjoyed in modern times.

One would have thought that these achievements are enough guarantee against illegitimate dismissal especially by a popular president like John Mahama who appears to be signalling an end to political chicanery.

At only 54, it is a shame such a lustrous career in the public service should come to such a sudden, unwarranted, unjustified, melodramatic truncation.

But politicians would always be politicians. Hard work, skill, integrity and professionalism is not always a fortress against wanton dismissals. In politics, professionalism, no matter how good, is not equivalent to political loyalty.

But the former IGP may be content to have served his motherland to the best of his ability, knowing that posterity will be kind in its assessment of his work.

This is certainly not the last we have seen or heard of our favourite IGP. One door may have been closed, but many more doors remain open.