The Minority in Parliament has put up a spirited defense for the Inspector General of Police, IGP David Asante Apeatu, saying that he should not be sacked.
The Minority is rather accusing the NPP government of being responsible for the recent spate of robbery cases.
The recent increase in robbery incidents and killings have prompted a fraction of the citizenry to call for the dismissal of the IGP and the involvement of the military in fighting crime.
However, in a Minority press conference held Friday, March 2, they have insisted that the NPP, under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, is to blame for the current situation.
Minority spokesperson on Defense and Interior, James Agalga stated that “The call for the IGP’s head is premature and misplaced, He’s only the operational head of the Police Administration. He is in charge of only operational matters; he doesn’t determine policies.”
“There is a Police Council which is chaired by the Vice President, and at the top is the president who is the chairman of the National Security Council. So this issue is bigger than the IGP and when it gets to the point where the issues are related to operational matters alone and that the IGP has not shown competence then we will call for his head. “So those of you calling for the head of the IGP you should be calling for the NPP as a whole to be sacked, including the vice president.”
Mr. Agalga further accused President Akufo Addo of filling the security agencies with members of Vigilante groups, Delta Force and Invincible force which has contributed to the increase in lawlessness and insecurity in the country.
He recalled that when some vigilante groups who were supporters of the NPP began using violence in the country, “the NDC called on President Akufo-Addo to immediately disband and demobilize the Invisible Forces, Delta Force and other militant groups operating under the NPP. President Akufo-Addo took no action to stem the crippling lawlessness and insecurity. Instead, the President has rewarded them by integrating many of these criminal elements into national security.
Contrary to James Agalga’s position, however, Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, has said IGP Asante-Apeatu lacks innovative ideas to tackle crime. He told Parliamentary correspondent, Ekow Annan that the IGP has no business in the office in the face of heightened crime.
“There is something wrong with the top hierarchy of the police and who is at the top? It is the IGP. So, clearly, if he is due for retirement and you give him a contract and he is not performing the president must let the IGP go,” he stated.
