Professor Kwesi Aning, a security analyst, has commented on the exuberant responses of police officers to the appointment of COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), seeing it as a testament to the revolutionary leadership of former IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
When COP Yohuno visited Police Headquarters following his swearing-in, officers were observed rejoicing, applauding his leadership, and extending a warm welcome.
Some even publicly showered the recently appointed IGP with cash to show their enthusiasm and support for his appointment.
Some staff members, however, denounced former IGP Dampare amid the festivities, calling him a “dictator” and a “tyrant,” and claimed that his dismissal had “liberated” the police force.
In a Friday interview with Channel One Newsroom, Prof. Aning commended Dampare for his dedication to professionalism and discipline, which he says transformed the Ghana Police Service.
“What it means is that this is an individual and an officer who has transformed the service and made sure that the corruption, the clannism, the network that allowed people to take the law into their own hand simply did not work again,” Prof. Aning stated.
He underlined that under Dampare’s leadership, the service’s long-standing corruption and favoritism practices were destroyed.
Prof. Aning added that it frequently costs something to stand up for professionalism and discipline.
“When you stand up for discipline and for professionalism, you don’t make friends,” he remarked, highlighting the challenges faced by leaders who prioritize integrity over popularity.