The Ghana Police Service has denied media reports suggesting newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP), John Kudalor, is gearing up to announce sweeping changes within the top hierarchy of the police administration in the coming days.
While it is within the right of any IGP to make changes in the police, a source close to the new IGP told The Al-Hajj that IGP John Kudalor, who is expected to go on retirement next year February barring a contract from government; would want the status quo maintained as he has excellent working relationship with his former colleague commissioners at the police headquarters.
The source stated “it is not true that boss (John Kudalor) intends to make changes at the police headquarters. He has been working with these (COPs) for some time now until his appointment as IGP and he has good working relationship with them. Indeed, some of them are even senior to him and so he is even keen on tapping into their rich experience to help his work.”
There have been media reports indicating that the IGP will in the coming days make far reaching changes in the police hierarchy to breathe new life into the administration.
According reports current Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Christian Yohunu, is likely to be moved to the Police headquarters to head Police Operations, a position previously held by COP Kudalor, while Director-General in-charge of Administration, COP Rose Bio-Atinga is to be dispatched to “Siberia”, the Interior Ministry, to be in-charge of small Arms.
There are also reports that Director General in-charge of Finance; COP Dr George Akufo Dampare could be moved from his current position to take over from his junior, DCOP Christian Yohunu, as the new Greater Accra Regional Commander.
Grapevine information has it that the IGP intends to make some of the changes because he cannot work with some of the Commissioners at the police headquarters, particularly, COP Rose Bio-Atinga and COP Akufo Dampare. But, in a swift reaction, a source close to IGP, COP John Kudalor rebuffed the claim, insisting “those are pure white lies.”
“Let me tell you, almost all the police Commissioners, including the immediate past IGP have a great deal of respect for COP Rose Bio-Atinga. Why do you think she was highly tipped to be the next IGP after Alhassan? Boss (John Kudalor) respects her as a senior in the police service and see her as a blessing to his administration. If you have someone like COP Rose around you, then you are assured that your tenure as IGP will be successful,” the source noted.
The source also staunchly denied claims to the effect that Mr. Kudalor wants to victimize COP Bio-Atinga because she had earlier this year, in her capacity as Director of Administration, dispatched a letter to COP Kudalor to prepare to proceed on mandatory 126 day leave prior to his retirement in February 2016, “Boss (Kudalor) has no such intention to move COP Rose or victimize COP Dampare or any of the Commissioners. Of course, there are some vacant positions that will have to be filled but I can assure you that none of the Commissioners you have mentioned will be affected.”
Sources at the Police Council and the Interior Ministry have also denied knowledge of any impending changes in the police hierarchy, saying “it has not come to the attention of the Police Council neither has the Ministry of Interior been informed that COP Kudalor said he cannot work with some of his colleague commissioners for which reason he wants them changed.”
The source added that no request has come from the new IGP to inform the Police Council and Interior Ministry of his intention to make changes at the police headquarters.
It is still unclear if IGP Kudalor will retire in February next year as previously planned or would earn an extension of contract from the President. But the source, while insisting no senior officer would be victimize under COP Kudalor’s administration, nevertheless, stated that “of course, when boss settles down and thinks there is the need to reinvigorate the administration he may do one or two changes…but that will also depend on the exigencies”.
When contacted, Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Cephas Arthur, also flatly denied knowledge of any intended ‘movements’ at the police headquarters,
“I’m not aware of any impending changes. Myself I heard it in the media but I think it is pure speculation. You know, whenever there is new IGP, people then start to speculate that the new IGP will come with his own team and may want to make changes. But so far as I’m concerned, the IGP has not discussed that with me.” Stay tuned.
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