Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has disclosed that intelligence gathered by the Ghana Police Service indicates the presence of groups intending to disrupt the upcoming December elections through acts of intimidation and violence.
“There is this culture of machoism, where people think that biceps are the basis for determining one’s strength. Fortunately, as you can see, with the things we’ve done going forward in these elections, I think most of them have advised themselves and found something to do,” Dr. Dampare said.
He continued, “But we are not going to be over complacent, thinking that this is the end of the game because our intelligence base shows that there are pockets of them around wanting to take things to a level that we will not tolerate.”
The IGP was speaking during a security engagement with political parties in Accra, attended by representatives from the Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and other key stakeholders.
Dr. Dampare also warned against the use of unauthorised security outfits and individuals wearing uniforms mimicking state security agencies, stating the Police would act decisively to maintain order.
“The environment where people want to use certain uniforms that make them feel half-police, half-military, or half of anything resembling security is unacceptable in this critical period. We want you to know our position, so when we act, it’s not mistaken for bias,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of peaceful elections, Dr. Dampare expressed gratitude to political parties for their cooperation and urged continued efforts to ensure a smooth process.
“Our plea is for us to finish and finish very well, to the glory of God and for the benefit of this country, especially for the generation that will come after us. It is in the same spirit that we are also committed to showing our patriotism by ensuring this election is peaceful and to the satisfaction of everybody,” he noted.
The IGP highlighted the Police’s strategy of transparency and frequent engagement to build trust, mitigate misinformation, and foster collaboration with political stakeholders.
He also emphasised open communication, stating that contact details for police leadership at all levels had been distributed to facilitate swift resolution of disputes and avoid unnecessary escalation.
Dr. Dampare reiterated the Police Service’s commitment to professionalism, fairness, and firmness in its operations. He urged political parties to extend the message of peace and cooperation to their supporters, underscoring the shared responsibility for ensuring a violence-free election.
“Let us carry this spirit of orderliness and nonviolence to the end. Together, we can make this election a proud moment in our democratic history,” he said.
Political parties represented at the engagement, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), All People’s Congress (APC), and Convention People’s Party (CPP), pledged to uphold the rule of law and cooperate with the Police throughout the electoral process.
Source: TIGPost.co
