The Concerned Ghanaians for the Safety of the Citizenry (COGSAC), an NGO, has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare to update Ghanaians on the current status of investigations into some high profile murder cases which had been on the tables of the service for some years.
This, according to the Convener of the group, Mr Cliff Ekuful, this would not only mark the beginning of ensuring transparency and accountability, but also serve as part of the confidence building processes of the citizenry.
“It is our firm belief that dealing with some of these cases will not only relieve families of the victims of such heinous crimes of their pains, but also go a long way to rebuild confidence and trust in the service,” he said.
Meanwhile, COGSAC also congratulated Dr Dampare on his official confirmation and swearing-in by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday, making him the 23rd IGP.
It added that, Dr Akuffo Dampare elevation to the IGP position, makes him the ‘primus inter pares’ among his fellows, thus placing an onerous responsibility on his shoulders.
“However, COGSAC believed that he would use his invaluable years of experience to carry all officers and men of the service to deliver on the hopes and aspirations of the citizenry.
“His appointment according to our checks makes him the youngest IGP ever to be appointed under the Fourth Republic and it is quite refreshing for the teaming youth of this country that for the first time in the service, the appointment of an IGP was met with unanimous affirmation among the general Ghanaian populace,” it said.
The statement noted that the resounding applause that heralded the announcement of his appointment as the acting and subsequent confirmation as the substantive IGP does not only show the general approval of Ghanaians in his appointment but also, the confidence majority of the citizenry have in him.
“His appointment to the high office of the IGP at a time when kidnappings, banditry, Jihadist incursions, cross border crime and armed robberies is on the ascendency implies that much will be expected of him in ensuring that the citizenry live in safety.
COGSAC equally knows that only a well positioned police force imbibed with the tenets of discipline and professionalism can deal with the ever changing face of crime in the country as such believe that his tenure will lead to a positive change in image of the service in order to confront the numerous challenges confronting the country,” the statement said.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
