Police Officer explains why officers jubilated, sprayed money over Dampare’s exit

A police officer, Bernard Akuffo, has offered insight into why some officers reportedly welcomed the departure of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as Inspector General of Police, despite public praise for his leadership.

In a personal reflection, Akuffo said he initially admired Dr. Dampare and believed his leadership brought major reforms to the Ghana Police Service, improving discipline and boosting public confidence. According to him, many officers recognised that the former IGP genuinely wanted the best for the institution.

However, Akuffo believes that goodwill within the service gradually faded when officers felt their welfare and morale were no longer a priority.

He explained that while Dr. Dampare focused strongly on professionalism and strict enforcement of police duties, many officers felt disconnected from a leadership style that paid little attention to what made them happy and motivated.

Akuffo cited the cancellation of social activities such as WASSA gatherings, the enforcement of rigid transfer policies, restrictions on officers’ public engagement, and the absence of ceremonies to honour fallen officers as key issues that affected morale.

He argued that it was unrealistic to expect officers to remain satisfied when they felt deprived of moments of joy, recognition and remembrance within the service.

According to Akuffo, these measures, though intended to strengthen discipline, made Dr. Dampare popular with the public but less appreciated among rank and file officers who felt overburdened and unheard.

He said this disconnect explains why many policemen quietly celebrated Dr. Dampare’s exit, even as sections of the public expressed disappointment.

Turning attention to the current Inspector General of Police, Mr. Yohuno, Akuffo expressed optimism about the new leadership direction. He noted that the new IGP appears to have learned from past experiences and is working to strike a balance between strict police duties and the welfare of officers.

Akuffo said this approach has helped Mr. Yohuno earn the trust and affection of both the public and members of the police service, a balance he believes is essential for effective policing.

Read his write-up below:
I have liked Dr. Akuffo Dampare, and I am convinced that his leadership has brought significant changes to the police service and that he genuinely has the service’s best interests at heart. However, I believe he lost the officers’ love when he shifted his focus solely to pleasing the public, without considering the welfare of his own men. That is why I believe many policemen celebrated his departure from the position of Inspector General of Police. It is unreasonable to expect the officers to be content with a leader who removes their only source of happiness and joy, such as WASSA gatherings, imposes strict transfer policies, prohibits officers from public engagement and fails to hold ceremonies in remembrance of fallen heroes. Dr. Dampare Akuffo focused only on executing police duties, which made the public like him, and because he was hard on the policemen and didn’t care about what made them happy, this also contributed to his dislike within the police service. I think IGP Mr. Yohuno has learned a lot from the previous administration, and he has managed to balance the welfare of the officers with police duties, earning him the love of both the public and the policemen.