Mahama’s dismissal of Dampare was cold, lacked empathy – Franklin Cudjoe

President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has criticized President John Dramani Mahama’s dismissal of former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, describing the letter announcing his removal as “cold” and lacking empathy.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Big Issue on Saturday, March 15, Cudjoe expressed concern that the dismissal letter failed to acknowledge Dr. Dampare’s service or extend well wishes for his future.

He compared the situation to the removal of former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo by ex-President Nana Akufo-Addo, noting that while the process was widely criticized as unfair, at least an explanation was provided for Domelevo’s dismissal.

Cudjoe described Dampare’s removal as abrupt and unprofessional.

“What worried some of us, when we saw the letter more or less dismissing the gentleman, the letter was really cold. It had no soul. Perpetually, you should be saying maybe ‘we wish you well in your future endeavours’. That did not come,” he said.

He further pointed out the inconsistency in governance approaches, drawing a comparison to the Domelevo case.

“Look, we all criticised Nana Addo for the unfair removal of Domelevo. However unfair the process was, they gave an explanation. At least even in the case of Nana Addo, who we all said has a significant governance deficit.”

Cudjoe emphasized that if the new administration seeks to reset governance practices, it should do so with professionalism.

“So if you are resetting, you reset with this in mind and you provide some sort of palpable response to people and say that ‘this man has done his best’. I mean do it professionally,” he stated.