Security analyst Adam Bonaa has called for a change in the focus of the parliamentary probe and discussions surrounding the alleged plot to oust the Inspector General of Police.

Speaking on PM Express on JoyNews, he said the discussion seems to focus more on the administrative matters of the police and not on the alleged plot to remove the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, as it was heard in the leaked audio.

“We seem to be missing the plots. The plot is that these guys were plotting to remove an IGP so that when they make them the IGP, they will break the eight. But we are not discussing that,” Dr Bona argued.

“As far as I'm concerned, the matters are clear. Let's separate administrative matters from the suspected criminal intentions that these guys exhibited and the arrogance,”the security analyst added.

Dr Bonaa said he had hoped that COP Alex Mensah and Supt. Asare, the officers named as plotters in the leaked audio, alongside Bugri Naabu, the former Northern Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, will apologise for their actions.

However, he says their posture and testimonies are pushing a narrative that aided in shifting the conversation from the tape.

“I was expecting them that when they were called to apologize, they will profusely apologize and say that, ‘you know what, we erred, so forgive us. You know, we all make mistakes. It's lobbying that went wrong. You cannot lobby to destabilize the country. We didn't intend this. We did it’.”

“But you can see, [they are] arrogantly trying to push a certain posture. As if to say, ‘if I say the man is not correct, if I say the man is the worst IGP, Ghanaians would begin to interrogate things differently.’ These are the facts. Mine is that what they intended to do in the tape is what I would want the honourable Atta-Akyea to look into.”

Background

Parliament constituted a seven-member ad-hoc committee, led by Samuel Atta-Akyea, to probe a leaked audio in which voices are heard clandestinely plotting to get the IGP out of office.

The viral audio, which revealed a supposed conspiracy by a senior police officer and a leading member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to remove Dr Affo Dampare from office, resulted in a debate on the floor of Parliament, with the Minority calling for a forensic audit.

COP Alex Mensah’s voice was heard on the recording telling Bugri Naabu about how IGP Dampare’s actions might cause the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to lose the 2024 election.

Confirming his voice on the audio, COP Alex Mensah made several allegations against the IGP including holding up promotions in the service, being in constant communication with former President Mahama and calling Dr Dampare the worst IGP ever.

Read more: IGP has always been talking to Mahama – COP Alex Mensah claims

The lawyer cum Chartered Accountant also said he has been lobbying to be made the Inspector General of Police (IGP) since 2017. He insisted that even though he has not been successful at that, he has not given up on that desire.

On his part, Supt. George Asare corroborated some statements made by COP Mensah concerning the IGP and how he is running the Service. When pushed further, he said he would rather disclose them in camera. 

Read more: There is no holdup on promotions – IGP Dampare

Supt Asare said the tape that has been leaked to the public is incomplete and has been edited by the persons behind it. According to him, there are a lot of things that were said in the tape that have been cut out for purposes only known to the masterminds.

Meanwhile, COP Alex Mensah claimed that it was the IGP who masterminded the recording of the conversations and the subsequent leakage.

Read more: NaabuGate: The IGP cannot determine outcome of elections – Dampare

But the IGP has denied all the accusations levelled against him by the officers, and labelled the allegations as wild and unsubstantiated. He emphasized that these claims have inflicted harm not only upon his family but also on the reputation of the police service.

Read more: Plot to remove IGP: Wild allegations cooked by my brothers’ to cover up their shame – Dampare

“I feel in my spirit that this is just not fair. Honourable chair, it is just not fair. Are we killing patriotism? That anybody can just get up, make allegations upon allegations, and people who go across the country – at times 48 hours without sleep, just to keep the country at peace – will be called to come and answer allegations that are unfounded?”