Dampare should have stayed in office until retirement; he was an exceptional leader – Prof Antwi

The recent change in leadership within the Ghana Police Service has sparked debate, with security analyst Prof. Antwi arguing that Dr. George Akuffo Dampare should have remained IGP until his official retirement. According to him, Dampare demonstrated exceptional leadership and was on the path to transforming Ghana’s policing system.

Dampare’s Achievements as IGP

During his tenure, Dampare introduced key reforms that improved the police force, including:

✅ Community Policing Initiatives – Strengthening police-public relations to enhance crime reporting.
✅ Digitalization of Police Services – Modernizing police operations through technology.
✅ Crime Prevention Strategies – Implementing proactive measures to reduce violent crimes.
✅ Police Welfare Improvements – Advocating better working conditions for officers.

Calls for Leadership Stability

Prof. Antwi believes that changing IGPs frequently disrupts long-term reforms and makes it difficult to sustain progress. He noted that Dampare had earned public trust, and his removal could slow down critical security improvements.

"We cannot afford to compromise national security by removing transformational leaders before they complete their mission," he emphasized.

Public Reactions

Many Ghanaians share Prof. Antwi’s sentiments, with some expressing disappointment over Dampare’s exit. Social media has been flooded with messages of support, with many calling for continuity in police leadership policies.

Conclusion:

While Ghana welcomes a new IGP, the contributions of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare remain significant. Security experts, including Prof. Antwi, believe that leaders of his caliber should be given enough time to implement long-term security reforms for national progress.