Kofi Bentil, Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, has urged the government to avoid actions that might suggest favoritism towards Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in the upcoming 2024 elections. Although Bentil supports Bawumia, he insists that any victory must be legitimate.
Bentil’s comments come in response to President Akufo-Addo’s appointment of Commissioner of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, as the new Deputy Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in charge of Operations. This appointment has sparked controversy, with some Ghanaians suspecting it could be a strategy to undermine the current IGP, Dr. George Dampare, who is known for his strict stance against election rigging.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile, Bentil expressed his concerns about the President’s decision, arguing that it lends credibility to allegations in a leaked audio suggesting a plot to remove Dr. Dampare due to his uncompromising position on ensuring a fair election. “The NPP as a group absolved itself sufficiently when they voted together with the minority to accept the Commission’s report in Parliament,” Bentil said. “This showed that the NPP didn’t have a problem with IGP Dampare and was not seeking to remove him.”
Despite this, Bentil highlighted actions by certain government operatives that he believes undermine this commitment to fair elections. He warned that these actions could damage public perception and trust in the electoral process. “Now you clearly have a situation where operatives within this same government have gone to do something which is clearly not permitted within the law,” Bentil stated. “It brings back that situation, and we’re not stupid; people see what is going on, and it doesn’t help anybody.”
He further emphasized that any efforts by these operatives to influence the election outcome are misguided and harmful. Bentil warned that such actions could hurt public trust and have long-term consequences for the nation’s democracy. Bentil also noted that the NPP had previously demonstrated its commitment to fair elections. By accepting the Commission’s report in Parliament alongside the minority, the party showed it was not trying to oust IGP Dampare. However, the recent appointment of Yohuno has raised new doubts.
The controversy began when news of Yohuno’s appointment broke. Many Ghanaians questioned the timing and motive behind the President’s decision. Some suggested it was a tactical move to undermine IGP Dampare or remove him from his position. Bentil’s statements have added to these concerns, urging the government to ensure that any election victory is achieved fairly.
Bentil’s remarks also touched on the broader implications of such actions. He warned that undermining public trust in the electoral process could have serious consequences for the country’s democracy. He called on the government to act transparently and uphold the principles of fairness and justice in the upcoming elections.
In his address, Bentil reiterated his support for Dr. Bawumia but emphasized the importance of a fair and transparent election process. He urged all parties involved to avoid actions that could be perceived as attempts to manipulate the election outcome. “Dr. Bawumia is campaigning, and those operatives who think that this is a way to win the election are wrong and should stop it!” Bentil said. “What will change minds is talking, not unfair practices.”
