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Are the police shirking the pragmatic responsibilities instituted by the IGP?
Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare
When the current Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare was appointed and confirmed by the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on August 1, 2021, many were those who heaved a sigh of relief and were full of praise and joy because they were of a firm conviction that the old order that had contributed to the low morale and sunken image of the Ghana Police Service (GPS), would be a thing of the past.
THE SUNKEN IMAGE OF THE POLICE IN THE PAST
Before then, the service had virtually been associated with all kinds of malpractices and fraudulent activities as well as certain illegalities among a section of officers that gave the entire police service a bad name. Bribery and corruption among some recalcitrant police officers were common, with entire discipline at the lowest ebb. However, with the introduction of this young hardworking and ‘no nonsense’ police officer at the helm of affairs, the image of the service appears to be changing gradually.
The 52-year-old police officer who is a chartered accountant with a very rich experience in policing and educational background, was the youngest IGP to be appointed under the Fourth Republic and the eight youngest since Ghana gained independence in 1957. During his over 30 years as a police officer, Dr. Dampare, has made significant contributions to policing in Ghana and beyond. He has indeed, used his vast experience to change the face of the entire police service in the country and introduced far-reaching and pragmatic policies to enhance the image and to instill discipline within the Ghana Police Service.
MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE AMONG POLICE OFFICERS BY IGP
No wonder, shortly after he had assumed office, a number of police officers who were found to have been involved in various forms of illegalities were interdicted and put under investigations. He put in place pragmatic steps to curb misconduct behaviour and warned that he would not hesitate to punish miscreant officers whose actions oppress the public to lose confidence in the Ghana Police Service. Hear him in a speech when he addressed a durbar of police officers and civilians in the past; “We want to give you assurance that in our quest to become a world class police institution, we have no reason not to put up our game and make sure that we leave all the things that are unprofessional, unethical and inhuman that set us against the public behind so that at the end of the day, we would be out there to be appreciated with the public having confidence in us.”
I do not intend to bore my readers and patrons with the achievements of the IGP during his less than one year in office for lack of space and also not to deviate from the topic I have chosen to write on. My focus is on how some misguided police officers are misconducting themselves, thus lowering the hard earned reputation the Police Service had carved for itself.
DEALING WITH THE MISCREANTS WITHIN THE POLICE SERVICE
Indeed, in most organisations and institutions, there are few bad nuts and miscreants who do not want to conform to order or the status quo of the places in which they served. Their main intention is to engage in negative activities to soil the image and reputation of their institutions and give them bad names. Such is the case of the Ghana Police Service currently, in which some officers are doing things contrarily to what pertains in their establishment.
Recently, there was a negative development in which the police have been accused of arbitrary using brute force against defenseless students of the Kumasi Islamic Senior High School (SHS). The news of that incident which went public on social media and other traditional media outlets, indicated that about 25 students of the SHS were hospitalised after the police allegedly opened tear gas on them while they were protesting against frequent road crashes of pedestrians in front of the school. The victims were said to be part of a group of students who blocked the Abrepo Junction-Barekese road during the protest.
THE NASTY INCIDENT AT KUMASI ISLAMIC SHS
The angry students had massed up on the road in protest, as they called for the construction of speed ramps on that stretch of the road. So far, we are being told that the affected students had been discharged and calm has been restored on the school campus, making way for academic activities to proceed.
The IGP in his usual reactive manner, has interdicted some officers for their roles in the disturbance. The officers were said to be part of the team said to have video-taped the clash. They consist of a Chief Inspector and two corporals. He warned that any personnel found culpable would be dealt with, according to law. He said the Police Administration would ensure that professionalism was upheld by the service.
INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE VIOLENCE
“Whatever happened in terms of policing aspect of it, we are going to look into it and take all actions that needs to be taken to ensure that at the end of the day, the right thing is done. We will ensure professionalism is deepened in a way that will not put the life of anybody at risk because as police, we are here to protect life and property and if we cannot do that, then we might fail in our mandate, and it is something that we don’t want to do.” Already, the police have admitted that a better approach to tackling the riot at the school could have been employed.
We are informed that the acting Ashanti Regional Police Commander and two other senior officers have been interdicted to pave the way for a smooth investigation into the clash. Parliament has taken a serious view of the matter and the Speaker has directed the Select Committee on Defense and Interior to probe into the matter.
Another nasty incident was recorded in Accra recently, in which the police were reported to have clashed with some youth group calling itself “Arise Ghana” who were demonstrating against the hike in fuel prices and the harsh economic condition by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumiah-led administration. A number of casualties including some police officers were recorded in that demonstration.
LACK OF KNOWLEDGE IN CROWD CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT
The circumstances surrounding those incidents amply demonstrated that either the police are not in tune with crowd management or they intentionally ignored or flouted the processes in handling these demonstrations, particularly that of the students’ demonstration. Their role in crowd management is to prevent crime and gather intelligence by patrolling the area and ensuring the safety of both participants and non-participants. Controlling an unruly crowd demands preparations, flexibility and resoluteness.
Security experts have made it clear that whether it is for a festival, concert, sporting competition or a conference, crowd management is critical factor that keeps your event safe. According to them a large number of people gathering at the same one place, creates high risk that can end up with serious consequences if it is not controlled properly.
I do not intend to tell the IGP what he should do because I am not a security expert but from my little observation, some of his men may need some form of training in crowd control and management to prepare them adequately to handle such situations. We are in an era where demonstration has become a norm and that has been enshrined in our statute books and, therefore, no one including the police administration can deny such lawful arrangements, provided they are peaceful in nature. However, some peaceful demonstrations at times can turn violent and the police must be ready to handle such situations in a more civil and peaceful manner. Demonstrations are indeed, lawful but they should be conducted within the confines of the laws of this country and this, Ghanaians must know and strictly abide by the laws.
IGP AND THE TASK AHEAD OF HIM
Knowing the pedigree of the IGP and his vast knowledge and experience in crime related issues including how some of these violent demonstrations are handled, I am of the conviction that he will rise up to the task of ensuring that the right processes are adopted and followed to protect lives and property as well as maintaining peace and security which are prerequisites in our dear country. We must also build enough confidence in our security apparatus, especially the police service and keep them entirely off politics as much as possible to enable them to stand the test of time. Having said this, it is my firm belief that the alleged culprits of the Kumasi Islamic SHS incident will be thoroughly interrogated and those found culpable are brought to book.
BY CHARLES NEEQUAYE
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Walk into any supermarket in Accra, Kumasi, or Tamale today, and you will see the modern Ghanaian diet packaged as ‘progress.’ You will see breakfast cereals with cartoon mascots, fruit drinks that are mostly sugar and colour, and snacks promising energy and happiness in bright fonts.
Even products loaded with salt and unhealthy fats often wear a health halo labeled as fortified or natural, while the real nutritional risk is hidden in tiny print on the back. This is not just a consumer inconvenience; it is a public health blind spot. Ghana is living through a silent surge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension, diabetes, and stroke.
These conditions quietly drain household income and steal productive years. According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, NCDs are now responsible for nearly 45 per cent of all deaths in Ghana.
We cannot build a healthy nation on a food environment designed to confuse people at the point of purchase. Ghana must mandate simple front-of-pack warning labels (FOPWL) on high-sugar, high-salt, and high-fat packaged foods because consumers deserve truth at a glance, and industry must be pushed to reformulate.
Why Back-of-Pack Labels Are Not Enough
In theory, consumers can read nutrition panels. In reality, most Ghanaians shop under pressure, limited time, rising prices, and children tugging at their sleeves. The back label is a relic that requires a high cognitive load to interpret—essentially, the seller knows what is inside, but the buyer cannot easily tell.
This ‘information asymmetry’ is not fair. It is not consumer choice when the information needed to choose well is deliberately difficult to find.
Simple warning labels like the black octagons used in the Chilean Model act as a ‘stop-and-think’ nudge. They do not ban products but they simply tell the truth so people can decide.
Reshaping Our Food Environment
A generation ago, Ghana’s meals were mostly home-prepared, like kenkey and banku with soups and stews. Today, ultra-processed foods have become the norm, especially in urban areas. Children are growing up with sugary drinks and salty snacks as everyday items, not occasional treats.
If Ghana is serious about prevention, we must act where decisions are made—thus, the shelf. Warning labels protect parents from sugar traps and pressure the market to improve. When warning labels are mandatory, manufacturers start to compete to make healthier recipes to avoid the stigma of the label.
Addressing the Pushback
Industry will argue that labels create fear or that education alone is enough. However, health education is slow; labels work immediately. While the informal street food sector is a challenge, regulating pre-packaged goods is the practical starting point because the supply chain is traceable. We cannot wait until the whole system is perfect; we must start where action is feasible.
A 2026 Implementation Roadmap for Ghana
To move from talk to action, Ghana needs this 5-step plan:
- Issue mandatory regulation: The Ministry of Health, Food and Drug Authority (FDA), and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) must define the label format and nutrient thresholds for all pre-packaged foods.
- Simple, bold symbols: Use plain language and clear symbols, such as “HIGH IN SUGAR,” designed for busy families, not experts.
- Transparent thresholds: Adopt technically defensible standards adapted to the Ghanaian diet.
- Transition and enforce: Provide a 12–18 month period for manufacturers to reformulate, followed by firm enforcement at ports and retail centers.
- National literacy campaign: The Ghana Health Service must pair labels with public messages explaining why high salt or sugar increases disease risk.
Conclusion: Truth Is Not a Luxury
Prevention is cheaper than treatment. A warning label costs little compared to the price of dialysis, stroke rehabilitation, or lifelong diabetes complications. A black octagon on a box of biscuits is more than a label; it is a shield for the health of all Ghanaians. It is time to put the truth where we can see it, right on the front.
By Abigail Amoah Sarfo
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Natives of the Kenkey Kingdom were mad with joy. They were still recovering from the hangover of the kingdom’s loss of the African Cup when their spirits were rekindled. Their great warrior, Zoom Zoom, stormed Melbourne and made sure that every Australian refused food. And that was after he had drawn contour lines on the face of their idol, Jeff Fenech.
Not only did the terrible warrior transform Old Boy Jeff’s face into a contour map useful for geography lessons, but he also accomplished the feat of retaining the much-envied super-kenkeyweight title against all odds. The warrior had not been eating hot kenkey for nothing.
The Fight Against Fenech
When Jeff Fenech bit the dust in the eighth round, I was tempted to consider if Adanko Deka could not have faced him in any twelve-rounder, title or non-title bout. Adanko has improved tremendously, and soon he would be facing Pernell Whitaker.
Sincerely, I was pessimistic about Azumah’s man, who the last time took him through twelve grueling rounds of rough boxing. I expressed my fears to my colleague Christian Abbew, alias Gbonyo, who surprisingly had total confidence that the Australian brawler would fall, predictably in Round Five.
Gbonyo gave reasons for his contention, all of which I counteracted using the age factor. Fact is, I didn’t know that contrary to the laws of nature, Azumah was all the time growing younger.
When Fenech fell briefly in round one, I asked my brother whether it was the same Fenech that fought Azumah in Las Vegas. Sure, it was the same Fenech, all out to beat Azumah before his countrymen.
But the African Professor had no intention of making the Australian a hero. As he spun round the desperate Aussie, dancing and stinging out his jabs, it was not too long before I realized that the end was near.
The Eighth Round Showdown
Two minutes into the eighth round, the African ring-master proved to the whole world that he was a true son of Bukom. He himself was cornered, but like the tough nut he is, he managed to break free before overwhelming the panting Australian with several blows that made him crash headlong.
Moments after, the referee, expressing fatherly sympathy, stopped the fight to prevent an obituary. After the ordeal, Fenech’s fairly handsome face was full of newly constructed hills, valleys, ox-bow lakes—whatever. I noticed that his nose was very tired and had a miniature volcano sitting restlessly on it. Obviously, Jeff’s wife will have to nurse that nose back to its normal shape—but I’d advise her not to use iodine, otherwise her dear husband will wail like a banshee.
Reflections on Boxing
Because Mohammed Ali was the kind of boxer kids liked, many school-going kids often entertained the wish of becoming like him. I remember one day when I told my father I wanted to become a boxer, and he advised me to first complete my education to the highest level. Then, if I decided to become a boxer and was knocked out a couple of times, I’d fall back on my degrees and make a living.
Boxing used to be interesting when bouts were fought more with the mouth and tongue than with gloves. You had to brag well, psychologically belittling your opponent before beating him up physically. Mohammed Ali became a very successful pugilist because he also managed to become a poet. He often blew his horn across America, calling himself the “pretty boxer” and opponents like Joe Frazier “the gorilla.”
Ali made a living fighting hard fists like Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Jerry Quarry, George Foreman, Leon Spinks, and Trevor Berbick. Twice he came back from retirement to fight just for money. It was Larry Holmes who finally pensioned him, and since then the great Ali has never been himself.
The Path Ahead for Azumah
When Azumah nailed Jeff Fenech on the cross and barked almost immediately that he was after the head of Pernell Whitaker, I was happy but concerned. I would have been happier if he had announced his resignation there and then—he would have been more of a hero. Beating Fenech in Australia is more newsworthy than facing Whitaker in the States.
With Whitaker, it might be a little difficult. The “Sweet Pea” is agile, has a crooked body like a snake with diarrhea, and stands awkwardly as a southpaw. He is known for having the fastest pair of fists and the rare ability to dodge punches no matter how close they may be.
Much as I do not doubt that Azumah can take his title, I also don’t want him to retire beaten. I want him to retire as a hero and live a fuller, healthy life.
As Azumah himself said after dishing Fenech, he is now a professor and has something to show for it. Like a true professor, I think it is time he resigned and took up training young talents who could draw inspiration from him and become like him in the future.
Closing Thoughts
I must say that although ageing boxers like Larry Holmes and George Foreman are making a name for themselves, boxing is not like the Civil Service, where you can even change your age and retire at 74. Zoom Zoom has delighted the hearts of the natives, and Sikaman will forever hold him in high esteem—but only when he retires as a hero.
This article was first published on Saturday, March 7, 1992.
