Source: newsthemegh.com
When he appeared before the Ad-Hoc Parliamentary Committee on Tuesday to respond to inquiries regarding the details of a purportedly leaked recording plotting his removal, Inspector General of Police George Akuffo Dampare grew visibly upset and almost started crying.
When addressing before the committee, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare was accompanied by his attorneys, lead by Kwame Gyan, and said that the outrageous accusations made against him by the three police officers have caused him and his family much suffering.
COP Alex Mensah, Superintendent George Asare, Superintendent Emmanuel Eric Gyebi, and Bugri Naabu were the three police officers who were accused of participating in a plot to covertly record their discussions. He categorically denied these accusations.
He pledged to provide whatever required information or help to the ongoing inquiry in order to learn the truth about the recording that was leaked. He also reiterated his commitment to respecting the law and preserving the integrity of the Ghana Police Service.
Even before the IGP spoke, the committee’s chairman and other members had informed potential witnesses that the case implied perjury because they would be swearing under oath before speaking before the committee.
This comes after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, formally requested during his evidence in the ongoing leaked tape investigation that three implicated senior police officers be kept out of the proceedings.
”Mr. Charman and Honorable members, our first complaint has to do with the presence in this room, at this time, of the witnesses who previously were invited by this august committee and who have gone through the process of presenting their own testimony,” he said.
We received written notice of our appearance before this committee on Friday, and it stated that we should be aware that all other witnesses who have testified before the committee will also be there, and that the hearing will take place behind closed doors. So, the other witnesses’ presence is our first objection,” the man added.
In response to the choice to hear some of the IGP’s testimony in public, it was announced that, in contrast to earlier public information, all of his sessions will take place behind closed doors.
“Many people have questioned why you made it public while planning to go in-camera. We have a very straightforward response: Ghanaians were listening to what was made public in their kitchens; we were unable to stop them.
However, we don’t have to go open if we want to obtain proof for something that is in the public domain and, in our judgment, it will have an impact on national security.
I want to stress that we don’t have any premeditated malice. We don’t think anyone’s shame will work in our favor.
We don’t think it’s fair to accuse and demonize a man for attaining the lofty position of Inspector General of Police. That kind of agenda is not among our goals.
We won’t skew anything in a way that disadvantages anyone, he insisted.