Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Julius Caesar is always a reminder to whoever cares to know that maintaining the reins of power is more difficult than ascending to its heights.
The alleged conspiracy to oust the Inspector General of Police by some of his men as captured on a leaked audio tape is yet another reminder of the scheming that takes place at the highest echelons of power in institutions such as the Police Service. This is how the balance of power is kept at equilibrium and maintained.
For the past few weeks that the bi-partisan committee put together by the Speaker of Parliament has conducted hearings, the whole nation has been spellbound by the revelations from the protagonists about the happenings at the very top of the institution charged with the mandate of keeping the internal security of the nation.
The nation has witnessed all shades of character at the hearings. The political godfather who is said to be the President’s go-to-person when it comes to the appointment of IGPs-Bugri Naabu, defiant and straight-talking now retired Police Commissioner-George Alex Mensah, the dogged Superintendent Asare and the IGP Dr Dampare, whose appearance became the highlight of media buzz and earned rave reviews. I have been privileged to witness everything from a front row seat and what a roller coaster this has been.
The alleged leaked audio tape at the center of the controversy has been authenticated at least by the person who is on record to have claimed responsibility for its recording, but it has been affirmed and denied by witnesses on a number of occasions. The committee nonetheless, is carrying out its work hoping to meet its terms of reference.
The terms of reference, as given by the Speaker are to verify the authenticity of the leaked audio recording, investigate the conspiracy to remove the current IGP, investigate any other matter contained in the audio recording, recommend sanctions to persons found culpable where appropriate, make recommendations for reforms where necessary and make such other recommendations and consequential orders as the committee might deem appropriate.
These days, the committee has gone behind closed doors to do its work. This, the committee argues, is to allow for all sensitive national security issues to be discussed freely away from the prying eyes of media men and members of the public.
As the committee wraps up its work, it has been hit by a fresh allegation of bias. The chairman of the committee has been accused by the lawyers of the IGP of bias. The IGP’s Lead Lawyer, Kwame Gyan says “Atta-Akyea has his own agenda. He will be granting media interviews to the extent that after one sitting, he went out there and said the extended tape which was submitted by Bugri Naabu, and had not been played at the committee, has been doctored. Very prejudicial comment”.
But the Chairman of the committee, however, thinks the accusations are disappointing and baseless. “It is very disappointing for anybody to say I am biased. On the contrary, the generality of Ghanaians believe that I have steered the affairs of the committee well. If anybody is having jitters, that I am going to manufacture evidence against the IGP, it does not accord with common sense. Because what we are doing here is being recorded. So, Atta Akyea with whatever dexterity will not be able to improve upon the evidence,” he stressed adding that he was leading a fact-finding committee, whose proceedings were being recorded and transcribed.’
For me, it is strange that the lawyers have only kept these allegations in the public domain and have not confronted the chairman head on with their misgivings about how he is handling the affairs of the committee.
The allegation presents another test to the committee to go to the greatest length to do a job that is above board, stands the test of time and could be a reference point for all such issues in the country and beyond. The committee’s job is clearly cut out in its final days. Observers are keenly monitoring.