Game Over: Supreme Court Shuts Down Attempt to Stop Mahama from Sacking These Top Officials

The Supreme Court has rejected a request by IMANI Africa and Professor Kwesi Aning to halt President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to remove Dr George Akuffo Dampare from his position as Inspector General of Police.

The five-justice panel, led by Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, dismissed the injunction application on the grounds that the matter had become moot following the implementation of Dampare’s removal.

The court reportedly indicated that the President could exercise administrative powers within the constitutional framework and found no violation of the applicable legal limits in the matter before it. The substantive case remains to be determined.

IMANI Africa and Professor Aning had questioned the constitutional legality of removing a serving IGP. They argued that the position should only be vacated under specific circumstances, such as proven wrongdoing, incapacity to perform official duties, resignation or death. They also raised concerns about the constitutional validity of appointing a replacement.

Lawyer Kofi Bentil, who represented IMANI Africa, insisted that the President’s action went beyond the powers permitted by constitutional provisions.

In response, state attorney Adjoa Obeng argued that there was no need for an injunction because the decision to remove Dampare had already been carried out.

Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, later stated that the organisation’s decision to pursue the case was not driven by political interests. He explained that the objective was to obtain legal clarity on the extent of presidential authority over executive appointments.

He further maintained that the action was aimed at strengthening constitutional accountability, ensuring proper oversight and protecting the independence of public institutions.

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