President Mahama commends Dr. Dampare’s transformational leadership

President John Dramani Mahama, Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, has expressed profound gratitude to the outgoing Inspector General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police (COP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the new IGP, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, President Mahama praised Dr. Dampare for his unwavering dedication, professionalism, and commitment to national security.
“Dr. Dampare has served the nation with dedication and commitment, and his contribution to law enforcement and national security will not be forgotten. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors,” President Mahama stated.

A new era of ethical policing
Dr. Dampare’s tenure as IGP marked a significant shift in the ethos of the Ghana Police Service.
His leadership style emphasized ethical conduct, professionalism, and accountability, earning him the title of an ethical revolutionary.
His ability to transform the force into a more transparent and people-centered institution reshaped public perception and improved police-community relations.

Under his leadership, law enforcement officers became more approachable and responsive to public concerns, restoring confidence in the police force.
His strategic initiatives fostered a service-oriented police force that upholds integrity, fairness, and discipline.

Ensuring a peaceful electoral process
One of Dr. Dampare’s most remarkable achievements was overseeing one of Ghana’s most peaceful elections. Despite concerns over heightened political tensions, the police force, under his leadership, successfully ensured a violence-free electoral process.
His emphasis on professionalism, impartiality, and thorough security planning demonstrated the Ghana Police Service’s competence in election management.
His leadership not only guaranteed law and order but also strengthened Ghana’s democratic credentials on the global stage.

Modernizing the police infrastructure
Beyond policy reforms, Dr. Dampare championed the physical transformation of the Ghana Police Service. Major infrastructure upgrades, including the renovation of police headquarters, improvement of security measures, and remodeling of various police facilities, were undertaken under his watch.
His commitment to modernizing the force was evident in the enhanced working conditions provided for officers, creating an environment conducive to professionalism and efficiency.
The headquarters of the Ghana Police Service, once in dire need of refurbishment, now stands as one of the best-maintained public buildings in the country.
These changes have significantly uplifted the morale of officers and further instilled a culture of discipline and excellence within the force.

Eliminating corruption and roadblock extortion
Another major transformation spearheaded by Dr. Dampare was the elimination of illegal police roadblocks, which had long been a source of extortion and public dissatisfaction.
Previously, these unauthorized checkpoints were rampant across the country, creating opportunities for misconduct and corruption.
Recognizing the damage this was causing to the police force’s reputation, Dr. Dampare implemented strict measures to curb such activities.

His leadership led to a drastic reduction in these illegal roadblocks, ensuring that only legitimate and necessary checkpoints remained operational.
This move not only improved security but also reassured the public that the police were working in their best interest rather than for personal gain.

Prioritizing the welfare of police officers
Dr. Dampare’s leadership was also marked by his commitment to the welfare of police officers.
He championed salary increments, promotions, and improved housing conditions to boost the morale of personnel.
By prioritizing officer welfare, he ensured that the police force remained motivated and dedicated to upholding law and order.
His leadership acknowledged the sacrifices of officers and sought to reward their hard work through better remuneration and living conditions.

Fighting corruption and enhancing public trust
The Ghana Police Service, under Dr. Dampare’s watch, made remarkable progress in tackling corruption.

His policies and enforcement strategies significantly reduced corruption within the force, leading to recognition for the service’s improvement in transparency and accountability.
Public trust in the police increased as officers became more disciplined and professional in their interactions with civilians.
His emphasis on internal discipline ensured that officers who engaged in corrupt activities faced consequences, further reinforcing the integrity of the service.
His leadership was instrumental in creating a culture of accountability, setting a precedent for future police administrations.

A lasting legacy of reform and service

Dr. Dampare’s tenure as IGP will be remembered as a period of bold leadership, innovation, and unwavering dedication to service.
He took over at a time when the integrity of the police force was under scrutiny and made significant strides in restoring public confidence.
Through ethical leadership, modernization, and firm policies against corruption, he reshaped the Ghana Police Service into a more professional, people-centered institution.
While challenges remain, Dr. Dampare’s contributions have set a strong foundation for the future.
His tenure has demonstrated that with the right leadership, the police service can be an institution of trust, professionalism, and service to the nation.
As he steps down, his legacy of reform, discipline, and modernization will continue to inspire officers and shape the future of policing in Ghana.

Youngest IGP in the Fourth Republic
Dr. George Akuffo Dampare is the youngest Inspector General of Police (IGP) to be appointed in the Fourth Republic and the eighth youngest since Ghana gained independence.
Before his appointment, he was the senior-most police officer in the country.
Rising through the ranks from constable to IGP is a rare feat, marking his journey as an exceptional one.

Early career and academic pursuits
A staunch Christian, Dr. Dampare joined the Ghana Police Service (GPS) 32 years ago as a constable without a secondary school background.
In December 1990, at age 20, he enlisted in the service and climbed the ranks, becoming Commissioner of Police (COP) in 2014 at the age of 44.
His remarkable performance during training earned him the Overall Best Recruit award at the National Police Training School in 1991, securing all accolades except the ‘Best Marksman’ award.
Further proving his excellence, in 1996, he was adjudged the Overall Best Cadet for the 32nd Cadet Officers’ Course at the Ghana Police Academy, winning awards in both professional police subjects and academic subjects.

Extensive leadership and management experience
Throughout his career, Dr. Dampare has held leadership positions in nearly every major department within the Ghana Police Service.
His roles include Director-General for Administration (twice), Director-General for Welfare (twice), Director-General for MTTD, Director-General for Research & Planning, Director-General for Operations, Director-General for ICT, Director-General for Finance and Director-General for National Patrol Department (Police Visibility Department)
Additionally, he served as the Commandant of the Police Command and Staff College, Accra Regional Police Commander, Regional Commander for Railways, Ports and Harbour (now Police Marine Department), Municipal Commander for Cape-Coast, and Chief Internal Auditor of the GPS.

Fighting armed robbery and enhancing security
Between 2010 and 2015, under two IGPs, Paul Tawiah Quaye and Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, Dr. Dampare coordinated the ‘National Anti-Armed Robbery Reward to Informant Initiative,’ leading to the arrest and prosecution of many notorious armed robbers.
As Director-General for National Operations, he created an efficient structure by consolidating fragmented units, introducing the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit (COMBAT Unit) to tackle violent crimes.
He also pioneered the Intelligence Unit within the National Operations Department, which laid the foundation for the Police Intelligence Department at the national level.

Innovative stakeholder engagement and welfare initiatives
During his tenure as Accra Regional Police Commander, Dr. Dampare introduced the ‘Continuous Stakeholder Engagement Programme,’ a proactive policing strategy that involved political parties and community groups in law enforcement.
He was the first police officer to lead the Ghana Police Service to engage political parties at their offices, fostering cooperation and trust.
As Director-General for Welfare, he introduced a social welfare scheme that saw officers visiting bedridden and sick police officers across the country, providing strategic medical interventions to aid their recovery.
Additionally, he played a key role in reclaiming lands at Dodowa and Kasoa, which had been owned and paid for by police officers but were previously inaccessible due to legal challenges.

Transforming specialized units and enhancing operational efficiency
In 2013, under IGP Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, Dr. Dampare led a team to restructure the Armoured Car Squadron (ACS) Unit into the Formed Police Unit (FPU) within ten weeks—an accomplishment that had remained unfulfilled for over 15 years.
The FPU now plays a crucial role in both internal security operations and international peacekeeping missions.
As Director-General of the National Patrol Department (Police Visibility Department), he supervised the implementation of the ‘Police Visibility’ programme, increasing police presence at intersections and communities across Ghana.
His technical expertise also contributed to the establishment of the Police Service Command and Staff College at Winneba and the Police Service Public Safety Training School at Pwalugu.

Enhancing police accountability and financial management
Dr. Dampare played a key role in establishing the Office of the Armourer-General, centralizing accountability for arms and ammunition in the police service.
He also led the creation of the Service Enquiry Monitoring Unit (SEMU), which oversees the disciplinary system within the GPS.
As Coordinator of the National Inter-Ministerial Task Force for the 2007 Ghana Floods, he successfully implemented a disaster management model that brought together UN agencies, the Red Cross, and civil society organizations.
In his capacity as Director-General for Finance, he spearheaded the migration of the Police Service onto the Single Spine Salary Structure, making it the first institution to complete the process successfully.
He also introduced bank-based salary payments for recruits and negotiated the construction of ATMs at police training schools at no cost to the government.
Under IGP Paul Tawiah Quaye, he led a team to establish the Procurement Unit, ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act and implementing cost-saving measures.

Revitalizing police infrastructure
Dr. Dampare used private sector donations to refurbish the Police Headquarters, constructing a Public Affairs building, the Integrity Square, the Police Fitness and Social Centre, and a Helipad.
He also led the refurbishment of the CID Headquarters. As Accra Regional Commander, he secured funding from the private sector to complete a new office complex and renovate 90% of the existing office buildings at the Regional Headquarters.

Academic contributions and professional development
Beyond policing, Dr. Dampare has an impressive academic background.
He has lectured at King’s College London, University of Cape Coast, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Regent University College, and DataLink University College.
He was also a pioneer lecturer at the KNUST Business School.

Academically, he holds:
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Finance and Management from King’s College, University of London
Two Master’s degrees in Accounting & Finance (London South Bank University) and Business Systems Analysis & Design (City University of London)

Chartered Accountant certification (ICAG) at age 25
Certificate in High Impact Leadership from the University of Cambridge
Certificate in Leadership and Management from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Memberships and Board Appointments
Dr. Dampare is a member of several professional organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (ICP), International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA), the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICA), and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
He has served on boards such as the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), DataLink University College Council, Police Central Disciplinary Board, and the Pumpkins Foundation for underprivileged children.

Personal life
Dr. Dampare is married to Anita and they have six children.
His unwavering dedication to service, commitment to ethical leadership, and transformative contributions to the Ghana Police Service make him a distinguished figure in Ghana’s law enforcement history.