By Abdul Razak Bawa
Since 1992, when we ushered in the democratic dispensation, the issue of overhyping of individuals, that are saddled with certain responsibilities, have become so prevalent in the system.
We have developed a system, where individuals are promoted against strong institutions. Not even the rallying call by the former president of the United States of America, Barrack Obama, who said what we need are strong institutions not individuals, could make us have a rethink.
Those who understand the advantage of personal aggrandizement and the gullibility of Ghanaians, take pleasure in maximizing the benefits of such incongruence.
Interestingly, the system since 1992, has been skewed in favour of a few privileged overfed “cats” who determine how the rest of the millions of us, should be treated.
George Akuffo Dampare, since his announcement as the new Inspector General of Police, quickly went to work to restore the battered image of the force. His modus operandi was simple; no one is above the law.
He put his best foot forward and sent a strong message to all that, anyone who falls foul of the law, will be made to face the full rigours of same.
Indeed, it was just not words at work, but he backed it with action. There was a new sheriff in town. He came down hard on false prophets and so for the first time last December, those prophecies that were becoming the way to fame by most of them, was not heard. Musicians, also had their fair share of the law, when dancehall artist, Shatta Wale and rapper Medikal, were arrested and arraigned before court.
He was hailed for finally bringing sanity and curtailing the noise that, for sometime was threatening our co-existence.’
At that I wrote a letter to him, commending him for a good job done but quickly added most importantly that, the true test of his stewardship, will start when he comes down hard on the politically exposed individuals. These include; politicians and journalists. It was only a matter of time, before one of them falls in the waiting arm of the IGP. They cannot do without trouble, because they have gotten away with it, time and time again.
These are the people who over the years are above the law. They define how everyone should live but not them. You touch them and you touch the very anointed of God. They are untouchable, they make no excuse for it, as every opportunity they get they remind all of us, how stupid and unlucky we are.
Dr Dampare, thought he has arrived and so decided to go after the people, who even the gods fear to touch.
He stretched the long arm of the law in the exercise of his mandate and made the first arrest. That was when the bubble burst.
The chickens quickly came home to roost. The name calling started and so was the tagging. The first misstep was the arrest of the Member of Parliament for Madina constituency, Francis Xavier Sosu. The full force of parliament was brought down on him. The whole minority marshaled their forces to call the IGP out for daring to arrest one of their own.
One of the sacred ones had been arrested and then the prognosis of the man started. He was accused of doing the bidding of the government of the day, yet the MP, who is a lawyer, knows the courts exist to deal with issues, including the excess of the police.
Then, the service decided to go after journalists, for opening their mouths too wide, it has been argued by many experts that, it is not the job of the police to arrest people who publish or broadcast false news, rather, persons involved can resort to seeking justice through the law courts (civil libel) to have their reputations redeemed.
But who says, we all don’t know this. The IGP, over the years are beholden to the appointing authourity and so, when you are told to go and arrest someone, you dare not say, it is not within your mandate to do that.
Every IGP since 1992, is a pawn in the hands of the appointing authourity to manipulate as they wish. If not why will Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, claim he was consulted in the appointment of George Akuffo Dampare.
Because of politics, an educated illiterate like that, will say, he has an axe to grind with the Chief Constable.
His arrest was to even things up, as the opposition National Democratic Congress, has had a fair share of the arrest. Abronye’s arrest was to a large extent square the field, but he as usual has gone bunkers.
Until the mode of appointing the IGP changes, the cycle will continue, political opponents will accuse the party in power of using the police to harass its members to gain political advantage.
I don’t envy George Akuffo Dampare at all. This is a man who has had a sterling career. This is someone who is clear-headed as to what to do. He is steadfast, and has demonstrated a patriotic zeal. Unfortunately, the system won’t allow him to succeed, because the very people, who appointed him, will be the same people to ensure he fails.
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