A police officer, Bernard Akuffo, has shed light on why some personnel of the Ghana Police Service reportedly welcomed the departure of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as Inspector-General of Police, despite widespread public praise for his leadership.
In a personal reflection, Akuffo said he initially admired Dr Dampare and credited his tenure with introducing major reforms that improved discipline and enhanced public confidence in the Police Service. According to him, many officers acknowledged that the former IGP genuinely sought the best for the institution.
However, Akuffo believes that goodwill within the Service gradually diminished when officers began to feel that their welfare and morale were no longer a priority.
He explained that while Dr Dampare placed strong emphasis on professionalism and strict enforcement of police duties, many officers felt disconnected from a leadership style that paid little attention to their motivation and well-being.
Akuffo cited the cancellation of social activities such as the West African Soldiers Social Activities (WASSA), the enforcement of rigid transfer policies, restrictions on officers’ public engagement, and the absence of ceremonies to honour fallen officers as key factors that negatively affected morale.
According to him, it was unrealistic to expect officers to remain satisfied when they felt deprived of moments of joy, recognition, and remembrance within the Service.
He argued that although these measures were intended to strengthen discipline, they made Dr. Dampare popular with the general public but less appreciated among rank-and-file officers, many of whom felt overworked, unheard, and emotionally disconnected.
Akuffo said this disconnect explains why some officers quietly celebrated Dr. Dampare’s exit, even as sections of the public expressed disappointment.
Turning his attention to the current Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh 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 enforcing strict police duties and prioritising the welfare of officers.
According to Akuffo, this approach has helped IGP Yohuno earn the trust and affection of both the public and members of the Police Service—an equilibrium he believes is essential for effective and sustainable policing.
Excerpt from Akuffo’s write-up:
“I admired Dr. Akuffo Dampare and believe his leadership brought significant changes to the Police Service. He genuinely had the institution’s best interests at heart. However, I think he lost the officers’ affection when his focus shifted solely to pleasing the public, without equal attention to the welfare of his men.
It is unreasonable to expect officers to be content when sources of joy and motivation—such as WASSA gatherings, recognition of fallen officers, and opportunities for engagement—are taken away. While his strict approach earned public admiration, it also contributed to his unpopularity within the Service.
I believe IGP Yohuno has learned from these experiences and is balancing officer welfare with police duties, earning him the support of both the public and the police.”
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