The acting Chairman of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, is of the view that sanity has been restored in the country following the appointment of Dr Akuffo Dampare as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP).

According to him, some unlawful practices that were glossed over by the Police Service in the past are now being regarded as what they are, illegal conducts, with culprits being arrested and processed for court.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu who is also the spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu attributed all these achievements to the presence of IGP Akuffo Dampare.

"I have seen policemen at traffic lights compelling motorbikes to stop at red lights contrary to the previous practice where we see even in the presence of the police, Okada riders with impunity would be driving across the red light to the risk of other road users," he told host, Samson Lardy Anyenini on Saturday.

Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu further lauded the new IGP for his decision to strengthen his engagement with leaders of the various religious bodies in the country.

This is imperative as majority of Ghanaians, about 95 per cent of the population he said belong to religious bodies and will be educated on the need to adhere to the laws in the country to maintain law and order.

"What even confirms and gives more happiness to me is the attempt to bring stakeholders together. Because religion plays a significant role in our social, economic and political lives, and our population in this country, I can confirm more than 95 per cent are religious.

"Therefore, for us to ensure there is order and discipline in our country, it is logical for the IGP to think strategically to bring leaders of religious bodies together to dialogue and seek our cooperation to ensure we are on one page when it comes to enforcement in order to sanitize our environment," he explained.

For him, all these goes to prove that "a certain wind of sanity is blowing" and therefore admonished that "we must really continue to do that."

Also speaking on the show, acting Director-General of the Ghana Police Service’s Public Affairs Directorate, ACP Kwesi Ofori assured that the current administration led by Dr Akuffo Dampre will do its utmost best to rid the country of corrupt practices.

"I can assure you that the new wave in the police service is trying to beat down and do away with corrupt practices. And the IGP is very stern on it, members of the police administration are committed to it," he stated.

During Dr Dampare's time as acting IGP, he met conveners of the #FixTheCountry movement for a post-protest review of their demonstration held on August 4, and led the service to investigate some murder cases including the tragic killing of three young men at Abesim Community as part of initiatives to maintain law and order in the country.

He was sworn-in as the substantive Inspector General of Police by President Akufo-Addo on October 8, 2021. Since then, his outfit has been praised by members of the general public and the President for his commitment to preserve the law.

Since becoming the substantive IGP, his outfit has apprehended many, including dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale for causing fear and panic, musician Medikal, for brandishing a gun on social media, Bishop Stephen Akwasi, whose prophecy led to a shooting incident hoax orchestrated by Shatta Wale and one Kofi Buckman, who recklessly drove a grey Mercedes Benz at the Airport junction off the 37- Legon road in Accra.

According to President Akufo-Addo, the general acceptance of the leadership qualities of the IGP, Dr Akuffo Dampare by the country demonstrates that he is the man for the job.

Swearing in the newly constituted council of the Ghana Police service, he praised the Inspector General of Police stating that he has demonstrated strict application of the law.

“His actions thus far have received, the strong backing of Ghanaians, and as many are now realising, if you fall foul of the laws of the land, you will not be spared,” he added.