National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah has explained why the former Ashanti Regional Security Liaison Officer, DCOP (rtd) Ayensu Opare Addo, was removed from office.

Responding to questions in Parliament, Mr. Kan Dapaah explained that DCOP Opare Addo was removed from office by men from the headquarters because he was obstructing the work of his successor.

Mr Dapaah added that DCOP Opare Addo’s two-year contract was cancelled mid-way by the National Security Coordinator but he refused to leave office.

“He was given a two-year contract to serve as Ashanti Regional Security Liaison Officer after the expiration of an initial two-year contract. His new appointment took effect from January 1, 2020, and was to expire on December 31, 2020.”

“However, his appointment was terminated on February 19, 2021, by the National Security Coordinator. Upon the termination of his contract, DCOP Opare Addo was paid his entitlement as per his appointment letter.”

Mr. Dapaah stated that the Ministry appointed Col Francis Attah (RTD) as the new Ashanti Regional Security Liaison Officer prior to the termination of DCOP Opare Addo’s appointment.

The appointment of the new officer took effect from May 1, 2021, but “DCOP Opare Addo refused to hand over,” he said.

He stated that negotiations to get DCOP Opare Addo to leave office without any incidents, proved futile, thus necessitating the National Security Coordinator's decision to send men to Kumasi to change the locks to the office.

“DCOP Opare Addo then declined numerous invitation from the National Security Coordinator to explain his refusal to vacate the office. Meanwhile, his continuous stay in office obstructed the work of the new officer.”

The explanation by Mr. Dapaah comes after DCOP Opare Addo claimed he had been handcuffed and forcefully taken out of his office by heavily armed men alleged to be members of the pro-NPP vigilante group, Delta Force.

But Mr. Kan Dapaah said he has not received any official complaint in this regard, adding that the DCOP rather was hostile to the team.

He accused DCOP Opare Addo of pointing his side arm at the team that carried out the operation.

"Mr. Speaker, I would want to assure the house of our willingness to investigate the allegations should any official complaint be made by DCOP Opare Addo," he told Parliament.