Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Koku Anyidoho has told President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Adoto not to comment on the leaked tape that captures a plot to oust the Inspector General of Police Dr George Akuffo Dampare.
He said there is absolutely no need for the President to comment on the tape.
In a tweet, the former Presidential spokesperson under the Mills administration said ” The Police Intelligence & Professional Standards Bureau is more than capable of investigating any unprofessional conduct vis the leaked IGP tape. Let’s allow Institutions to work and stop forcing the President to wade into matters ‘below’ his table.”
“From a Communications/PR perspective, and having worked as Head of Communications/Presidential Spokesperson, I would not advise President Akufo-Addo to comment on the tape doing the rounds vis the IGP. There is absolutely no need for the President to comment.”
Some observers have called on the President to comment on the tape.
For instance, a Professor at the University of Ghana Ransford Gyampo said although the Minister for the Interior spoke on the matter and assured that there was no plan to remove the IGP, the presidency must also issue a statement on the issue.
He explained on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, July 15 that it is not the Minister who appointed the IGP, but rather the president hence the presidency must speak on this issue.
“I expect the Presidency to issue a statement on this matter,” he said.
He stressed, “A formalized statement should be issued to assure the IGP that he will continue to remain in office so long as he discharges and takes his duties without fear or favor.”
For his part, Tolon Member of Parliament Habib Iddrisu, said the work of the committee that has been formed by the Speaker of Parliament to look into the leaked tape will not yield any results.
Speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, July 15, he said the security agencies that have the capacity should have done that, not Parliament.
“It is very disappointing, you have a lot of questions to ask, and I appreciate that this thing happening in our country is totally out unacceptable
“Why did they record it, who recorded it, and who leaked it? These are the critical questions to ask. The recording is wrong, the one who leaked it is wrong,” he said.
He added “It will be an exercise that will not yield any results. The speaker did not indicate clearly the reference.
“If that committee is set up and parliament finishes its work then what? There are agencies that are equipped to handle this tape, not Parliament. From where I sit I don’t see where it is going, it is just the politics we are seeing. This committee the speaker has formed, I don’t see where it will go. I don’t think Parliament was the right forum for this to be done. There is more to it than we have heard,” he said.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has ordered the constitution of a seven-member committee to probe the leaked audio recording of some persons purportedly plotting the removal of the IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare.
The committee will have three members each from the two sides of the House with one technical person.
The names of the three members apiece from the Majority and Minority caucuses are expected to be made available within one week, the Speaker so directed on Thursday, July 13.
This comes barely 24 hours after the Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, filed an urgent statement on the floor, calling for an investigation into the recording.
The Speaker had asked him to put the statement in writing for him to make orders. This was done on Thursday.
According to the Speaker, the committee will investigate the authenticity of the leaked audio recording, the conspiracy to remove the current IGP, any other matter contained in the audio recording and recommend sanctions to persons found culpable where appropriate.
It is also to make recommendations for reforms where necessary and make such other recommendations and consequential orders as the committee may deem appropriate.
These will be the Special Committee’s terms of reference.