Former police detective, Samuel Nana Appiah, has shared his thoughts on the appointment of COP Christian Tetteh Yohonu as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), following the removal of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Appiah said police officers now feel a sense of relief, though they wished the change had come earlier.
“For the first time, we’ve seen police officers celebrating the appointment of an IGP. This is not common in the police service. When a new IGP is announced, there’s always curiosity about how he will work and what changes he will bring. It’s rare to see such excitement from officers, and it shows that something was not right before,” he said.
In the viral video capturing the jubilation, police officers are seen shouting, jumping, and hugging each other, with police sirens blaring in the background.
This has sparked discussions about the reasons behind their apparent joy.
According to Mr. Appiah, the jubilation is a reflection of the sense of relief felt by officers, though he believes the celebrations should be tempered with professionalism.
“For officers to openly show excitement in the presence of cameras and the public means they feel some relief. They wish the change had come sooner. But all in all, the work must continue, and there must be discipline. Officers must adhere to ethics and professional conduct,” he added.
However, Mr. Appiah acknowledged Dr. Dampare’s success in the area of crime fighting and police accountability.
“Dr. Dampare may not have been perfect in handling internal affairs, but he raised the bar high when it came to fighting crime and making the police more accountable. This is something the new IGP must continue to build upon.
“The job of the IGP must come with some discipline, and officers must work within the framework of the law, ensuring transparency and accountability at all levels,” he noted.
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