Can the New IGP, Christian Yohonu, Match Dampare’s Legacy?
Ghanaian journalist Kofi Kyei has compared the newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Yohonu, to Kwame Nkrumah, highlighting his potential to lead the police force with strong leadership. However, Kyei also posed a critical question: "Can he be the Dampare of the people?"
Kyei made these remarks in a Facebook post on March 16, 2025, where he reflected on the legacy of former IGP George Akuffo Dampare and the expectations surrounding his successor.
Dampare’s Impact on the Police Force In his post, Kyei recalled an incident from six years ago when a journalist attempted to film a police officer extorting money from a driver at Tesano Police Station. Upon realizing he was being recorded, the officer seized the journalist’s phone, destroyed it, and physically assaulted him before detaining him.
According to Kyei, under Dampare’s leadership, it became clear that citizens had the legal right to film police officers without fear of intimidation or assault. While this policy was unpopular among some officers, it helped foster accountability within the force.
Kyei acknowledged that corruption remains deeply rooted in the police service, but under Dampare, there was a certain level of fear that kept officers in check. He shared a personal experience at Suhum Police Station, where officers were on high alert because of rumors that Dampare was traveling to Kumasi and might make a surprise stop.
Challenges in Dampare’s Leadership Despite Dampare’s successes, Kyei admitted that he made mistakes, particularly in the area of favoritism and promotions within the service. He noted that one of the most sensitive issues in any hierarchical institution is career progression. Watching a junior officer suddenly rise through the ranks while longtime officers remained stagnant created tension within the service.
However, Dampare is widely credited with restoring public confidence in the police. His tenure brought professionalism and a new sense of discipline. The days of officers wearing worn-out, faded uniforms became a thing of the past, and the police force regained respect in the eyes of many Ghanaians.
What Lies Ahead for Christian Yohonu? As Yohonu takes over, he inherits a divided police service. While some officers celebrate Dampare’s departure, seeing it as freedom from what they describe as strict leadership, others worry about losing the progress made under his tenure.
Yohonu now faces the challenge of maintaining public trust while addressing internal grievances. Can he balance discipline with fairness and uphold the high standards set by his predecessor? Only time will tell.
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