Leaked IGP tape: Parliamentary investigation is pointless – Ransford Gyampo

Ransford Gyampo, a professor at the University of Ghana, has stated that a parliamentary investigation into the leaked audio depicting a plot to depose the Inspector General of Police is unnecessary.

He explained that the leaked tape, as well as public commentary on it, had thwarted any attempt to remove the IGP.

In addition, he stated on Key Points on Saturday, July 15, that the Minister of the Interior has stated that there is no plan to eliminate the IGP.

Therefore” The parliamentary probe is absolutely unnecessary.”

Tolon Member of Parliament Habibu Iddrisu also stated that the work of the committee appointed by the Speaker of Parliament will produce no results.

He also stated that, security agencies that have the capacity should have done that, not Parliament.

“It is very disappointing, you have a lot of questions to ask, and I appreciate that this thing happening in our country is totally out unacceptable

“Why did they record it, who recorded it, and who leaked it? These are the critical questions to ask. The recording is wrong, the one who leaked it is wrong,” he said.

He added “It will be an exercise that will not yield any results. The speaker did not indicate clearly the reference.

“If that committee is set up and parliament finishes its work then what? There are agencies that are equipped to handle this tape, not Parliament. From where I sit I don’t see where it is going, it is just the politics we are seeing. This committee the speaker has formed, I don’t see where it will go. I don’t think Parliament was the right forum for this to be done. There is more to it than we have heard,” he said.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has ordered the constitution of a seven-member committee to probe the leaked audio recording of some persons purportedly plotting the removal of the IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare.

The committee will have three members each from the two sides of the House with one technical person.

The names of the three members apiece from the Majority and Minority caucuses are expected to be made available within one week, the Speaker so directed on Thursday, July 13.

This comes barely 24 hours after the Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, filed an urgent statement on the floor, calling for an investigation into the recording.

The Speaker had asked him to put the statement in writing for him to make orders. This was done on Thursday.

According to the Speaker, the committee will investigate the authenticity of the leaked audio recording, the conspiracy to remove the current IGP, any other matter contained in the audio recording and recommend sanctions to persons found culpable where appropriate.

It is also to make recommendations for reforms where necessary and make such other recommendations and consequential orders as the committee may deem appropriate.

These will be the Special Committee’s terms of reference.