Dampare did his part, but many officers were unhappy – Former CID Boss

Former Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Bright Oduro (Rtd), has expressed concerns about key challenges within the Ghana Police Service under the leadership of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, March 14, 2025, COP Oduro acknowledged that while Dampare played his role as IGP, many officers within the service were dissatisfied.

He noted that despite Dampare’s strong public goodwill, internal concerns among personnel remained unresolved. According to him, communication within the service weakened, police welfare was inadequately managed, and some officers were promoted beyond their ranks without following due process.

Additionally, he pointed out complaints about transfers being conducted without the involvement of the appropriate committee.

On crime management, COP Oduro questioned the effectiveness of Dampare’s approach, highlighting unresolved robbery cases and a lack of transparency regarding crime trends.

“There have been robberies that you and I never heard about. What solutions are being professed by the police to tackle robbery? We see the police on patrols, but how have they tackled robbery? The officers are also not speaking about crimes in their jurisdiction, yet crimes are taking place all over the place.

“Yet they don’t talk about them. Look at what happened in Adabraka, where a daylight robbery took place. What about the police officers who were taken for enquiry and were killed? So, there are issues of crime which have not been resolved. So, we will not say that even though outwardly he is doing well, inwardly he is doing well or not.

“Every other IGP will do what is under his command because these are the men who will do the work for you. If they do their work and they are attacked for explaining what we do to the public, nobody speaks.

“…So there are issues all over. So, he has done his part, but too many officers are grumbling,” he stated.

COP Oduro’s remarks reflect broader concerns about the internal operations of the Ghana Police Service and the need for improved communication, welfare, and crime management strategies.