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Ex–Deputy Defence Minister Kofi Amankwa-Manu Slams IGP’s Two-Year Contract Extension; Says Decision Stifles Growth in Police Service
Source: Justice Baffour//www.dailywatchgh.com
Former Deputy Minister of Defence and current Member of Parliament for Atwima Kwanwoma, Hon. Kofi Amankwa-Manu, has taken a firm stand against the two-year contract extension granted to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), describing the move as unnecessary and counterproductive to the professional growth of the Ghana Police Service.
Addressing journalists in Parliament on Tuesday, the outspoken legislator argued that the Police Council should have allowed a natural transition in leadership rather than keeping the current IGP beyond his mandated tenure. According to him, such extensions undermine opportunities for younger, qualified senior officers who have risen through the ranks and are prepared to take up top leadership roles.
Hon. Amankwa-Manu stressed that Ghana must move away from a governance culture that politicizes the security services, noting that the country’s winner-takes-all system often interferes with institutional independence. He insisted that decisions affecting national security should be guided strictly by professionalism and succession planning, not political convenience.
“It is time we stop mixing politics with our security architecture. There are capable young officers who deserve the chance to lead. Extending the IGP’s tenure does not help morale, succession planning, or the growth of the service,” he said.
The former Deputy Defence Minister further urged the Police Council to reconsider its decision, emphasizing that leadership renewal is vital for efficiency, discipline, and modernization within the Police Service.
He warned that perpetual extensions risk demoralizing hardworking officers and could create the perception that political considerations outweigh merit in the hierarchy of the service.
Hon. Amankwa-Manu reiterated his belief that Ghana’s security institutions must be insulated from politics to maintain public trust and ensure stability, especially as the nation prepares for yet another crucial election cycle.
