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IGP Dampare is being over-zealous – James Agalga

Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, James Agalga

The Ranking Member of Parliament's Defence and Interior Committee has charged the Inspector-General (IGP) of the Ghana Police Service to stay within his limit in administering his duties.

James Agalga speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, said Dr Gerorge Dampare is "being over-zealous" in his new role.

"The IGP needs to understand that the democratic dispensation does not allow the police to also act above the law, just as we are being told that MPs are not above the law. Moreover, he should remember that the Service owes its existence to the 1992 Constitution," he said.

The police have been on the heels of the Madina MP, Francis-Xavier Sosu for his involvement in a violent demonstration over deplorable roads in his constituency last week.

Mr Sosu said some police officers tried to arrest him during the protest.

Police were also reported to have tried to arrest the lawmaker while he was at Church on Sunday, October 31, 2021, though the police administration has denied the reports.

Subsequently, the police sought permission from the Speaker of Parliament to invite Mr Sosu to assist in investigations but it was proven unsuccessful after Alban Bagbin refused to release him.

The Service, however, is considering legal action to compel the Madina MP to report himself for questioning.

The Director of Public Affairs, ACP Kwesi Ofori has revealed that the police could seek interpretation from the Supreme Court of the extent of parliamentary privileges afforded legislators.

Reacting to these developments, Mr Agalga said Dr Dampare's modus operandi is flawed.

"This is his first gaffe. He needs to be mindful of the clear provisions of Articles 122 and 117. It is not for nothing that the framers of the constitution made room for these provisions. If it is the collective view of Ghanaians that these provisions have outlived their usefulness, then let's take them out of the constitution.

"But until then, I expect everyone, including the President, to respect this provision. Even if they intend seeking for interpretation of the provision, that has not been done yet, and so the police should just stick with the Speaker's position and stop the back and forth."

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.