Police officer turned-Member of Parliament, Peter Lanchene Toobu, according to myjoyonline.com has cautioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, not to allow what he calls “a political capture” of the police institution. Mr Toobu, emphasised the constitutional foundation of the police service, highlighting the crucial role of the IGP in maintaining command and control. He underscored the importance of preserving the police service’s independence and ensuring it serves the best interest of all Ghanaians.
The Wa West MP and Member of Parliament’s Defense and Interior Committee, the report continued, repeated the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority’s claims, that ahead of the election in December 2024, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) loyalists were being recruited into the security agencies.
He reiterated that each NPP parliamentary candidate has been given a slot to provide 30 recruits into the various security agencies, a claim the Interior Ministry has denied. “And if you do this, that is what we call political capture of a state institution, so probably we have moved a bit further from politicisation to total political capture if that happens.
As a democratic country, Ghana should uphold values of transparency, accountability, representation and equality within its police service”, he was quoted as saying on Joynews’ AM Show.
The Chronicle respects MP Toobu for always speaking up his mind when it comes to national issues. We, however, think that he has, this time around, either misfired or failed to appreciate the reality on the ground.
It is important to note that the 1992 constitution, which Hon Toobu quoted, has granted powers to appoint heads of the various security agencies to the president of the Republic. The president, therefore, has the power to hire and fire any IGP, Chief of Defence Staff, head of Immigration, Ghana Fire Service and Prisons Service.
In view of this, The Chronicle does not think any of these security heads can look at the face of the president and say I will not do what you have instructed me to do. Unless of course, these security heads are ready to relinquish their positions.
In view of this, one will wonder how IGP Dampare can boldly look at the face of the president and say we will not allow any recruitment, if the allegation being made Mr Toobu and his minority group in Parliament is even true.
The Akans have a saying that when an animal is trapped, it has a way of crying and when it is released, the same animal will cry differently. Mr Peter Lanchene Toobu was the special assistant to the former IGP, David Asante Apietu. And during his time in the police service, was he able to stand up to his boss, let alone the executive, led by the president?
Again if Mr Toobu was still in service, could he have mustered the courage to say things he is quoted by Joy FM as saying? Much as criticisms help in keeping state institutions on their toes, such criticisms should be fair. As a former police officer, Toobu should know that no IGP who wants to keep his job can stand up against the executive, headed by the president.
In our opinion, what Toobu should be advocating for is an enactment of law similar to that of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, to insulate the IGP’s position from control of the executive. Until this is done, we should stop blaming the current IGP and all future IGPs, whether under NPP or NDC government for failing to say no to the president of the day.
