Security Analyst Prof. Kwesi Aning has weighed in on the jubilant reactions of police officers following the appointment of COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), interpreting it as a reflection of the transformative leadership of former IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

During COP Yohuno’s visit to the Police Headquarters after his swearing-in, officers were seen celebrating, cheering his leadership, and welcoming him with enthusiasm.

Some even openly sprayed money on the newly appointed IGP, signaling their excitement and approval of his appointment.

However, amid the celebrations, some personnel criticized former IGP Dampare, labeling him a “tyrant” and a “dictator” while asserting that his removal had “freed” the police service.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One Newsroom on Friday, Prof. Aning praised Dampare for his commitment to discipline and professionalism, which he believes reshaped the Ghana Police Service.

“What it means is that this is an individual and an officer who has transformed the service and made sure that the corruption, the clannism, the network that allowed people to take the law into their own hand simply did not work again,” Prof. Aning stated.

He emphasized that Dampare’s leadership dismantled entrenched systems of corruption and favoritism within the service.

Prof. Aning further noted that standing up for discipline and professionalism often comes at a cost.

“When you stand up for discipline and for professionalism, you don’t make friends,” he remarked, highlighting the challenges faced by leaders who prioritize integrity over popularity.

Read also…

Police officers jubilate over Dampare’s dismissal

Kow Essuman has described his recent participation in the Education Module: Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century at Harvard Kennedy School as a profound experience that reinforced the delicate balance between honour, privilege, and humility.

As a member of The Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGLs), Essuman had the unique opportunity to engage with an extraordinary cohort of high achievers from around the world.

The nine-day programme, which included discussions with esteemed figures such as Larry Summers, former US Treasury Secretary; David Rubenstein of the Carlyle Group; Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand; and Anthony Foxx, former US Transport Secretary, provided an invaluable platform for deep learning and critical reflection.

Led by Professor Dan Levy, the programme challenged conventional notions of leadership and self-awareness.

“We often assume that super achievers have everything figured out and are immune to uncertainty, but this experience taught me otherwise,” Mr Essuman shared.

The rigorous academic sessions were complemented by moments of camaraderie, including a memorable football match in the cold, initiated by former Arsenal and AC Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who was also a participant.

For him, this balance of intellectual stimulation and personal connection underscored the importance of self-care and appreciating life’s experiences.

Grateful for the opportunity, Essuman extended his heartfelt appreciation to the World Economic Forum team, particularly Professor Klaus Schwab, Ida Jeng Christensen, and Danny Richmond, for their unwavering belief in the YGLs and their potential to drive meaningful change.

He also expressed thanks to the Harvard Kennedy School faculty and staff, whose warmth and hospitality made the experience even more enriching.

“Their dedication ensured that despite the Cambridge cold, our stay was nothing short of exceptional,” he remarked.

As Essuman reflects on this transformative journey, he recognises the lasting impact of the bonds formed with fellow YGLs.

“A great bond has been formed, and I hope we continue to lean on each other as we strive to make the world a better place, one corner at a time,” he concluded.

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.

Rev. Kusi Boateng, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral

Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, has been arrested by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) over an alleged double identity saga, citinewsroom.com has reported.

The embattled pastor is said to be assisting with investigations.

Background:

In a 2023 exposé, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the MP for North Tongu and current Foreign Affairs minister, said that Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng held several passports.

“From unassailable and irreproachable documents in my possession, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng, AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, uses multiple passports and multiple identification cards with different names and different dates of birth as his special modus operandi,” Ablakwa stated in a Facebook post.

He further alleged that JNS Talent Centre Ltd, owned by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng was paid GH¢2.6 million to support the construction of the National Cathedral under the pseudonym Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.

Ablakwa claimed documents in his possession revealed that Kwabena Adu Gyamfi and Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng is the same person. Despite the allegations, Boateng still serves on the National Cathedral Board as an Executive Council Member/Director.

On Thursday, July 13, 2024, the Human Rights Court dismissed an application by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, the Founder and General Overseer of Power Chapel Worldwide. The application sought to restrain the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, from discussing him in relation to the National Cathedral.

Although the specific allegations against him are unknown, insider sources suggest that his dual identity is being looked into.

KA

Meanwhile, catch the first in the series of our special episodes on Forgotten Forts on People and Places on GhanaWeb TV below. This episode focuses on Fort Amsterdam at Abandze:

President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), marking a pivotal shift in Ghana’s security leadership.

COP Yohuno has thus replaced IGP George Akuffo Dampare, as part of the Mahama administration’s broader efforts to implement changes within key security institutions in line with its agenda to reset Ghana.

The Ghana Police Service is undergoing significant reforms, and Yohuno’s extensive experience positions him as a strategic choice to lead these transformation efforts. His leadership is expected to drive the much-needed restructuring to enhance security operations and public trust in law enforcement.

Speaking on Midday News on 3FM with Beatrice Adu on March 14, 2025, David Agbey, Executive Director of the Ghana Institute of Governance and Security, shared his perspective on the appointment. He emphasized that the new IGP brings a wealth of experience, having witnessed various phases of the Ghana Police Service’s evolution.

“The new IGP has seen it all as far as the Ghana Police Service is concerned. He needs to recognize that the police force encompasses all sorts of behavior, and his ability to manage the service effectively will be crucial,” Agbey stated, highlighting the importance of strong leadership in law enforcement.

Beyond internal management, Agbey also stressed the need for improved communication within the Police Service, expressing hope that Yohuno’s tenure will prioritize restoring effective police communication channels.

“As IGP, we hope he will help restore police communications,” he noted, emphasizing the role of transparency and clear messaging in fostering public confidence in the Police Service,” he urged.

As Yohuno assumes office, the expectations remain high for his administration to spearhead reforms that enhance professionalism, accountability, and efficiency within the Ghana Police Service. His appointment signifies a new phase in Ghana’s security landscape, with the hope that his leadership will strengthen the service’s operations and its relationship with the public.

The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, has called on members of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) to ensure inclusive participation as they work to reset Ghana’s digital agenda.

Mr Nartey George emphasized that Ghana’s digital transformation cannot be achieved in isolation and that it requires a shared responsibility, demanding collaboration from all stakeholders.

He made these remarks in a speech read on his behalf by IT Specialist, Dr Mark Oliver Kevor at the press launch and inauguration of the of the 2025 IGF MAG in Accra on Wednesday, March 5.

The Ghana IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group is a collaborative body formed to guide and support the planning and implementation of the country’s internet usage policies.

It includes a diverse group of stakeholders from government, the private sector, civil society, academia, and technical communities, all of whom play a key role in fostering inclusive dialogue on internet governance issues.

Resetting agenda

“We find ourselves at a defining moment in Ghana’s digital transformation journey, where it is stricter to not just move forward but also to pause, reflect and also reset. Today, as we launch this important platform and initiative, we are also resetting Ghana’s digital agenda,” he said.

“As we inaugurate the Ghana IGF Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group and officially launch it, we need to look at all that come out with policies governing the internet. Let us face forward, united in purpose, as we reset and build a digital Ghana that is inclusive, innovative and ready to embrace the future,” he stressed.

Sustainable development

The Minister further highlighted the need for sustainable development through technology as the nation tackles emerging challenges such as cybersecurity. He urged the MAG to work toward creating opportunities for all Ghanaians.

“The theme for today’s event, Building an Inclusive Digital Future Together, is both a guiding principle and a call to action. In this context, we look to you for leadership, as your efforts will help us reset and redefine Ghana’s digital agenda, focusing on policy cohesion, innovation, and inclusion,” he stated.

“With the inauguration of the MAG today, we are taking an important step toward a more inclusive, equitable, and forward-thinking digital agenda for Ghana.”

“As we reset our digital agenda, we must remember that this journey will require patience, dialogue, compromise and most importantly, bold action. To the advisory group, I urge you to be bold in your recommendations and inclusive in your outreach,” he added. 

Globalisation

The Member of Parliament for Tempane, Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, stated that globalization has brought nations closer together, making it essential to have conversations about the most visible aspects of the world in ways that drive meaningful change.

She acknowledged that while the internet has been a blessing to humanity, it also comes with its challenges, providing opportunities to discuss how to secure the sustainability of the digital space.

“The visibility and impact of globalization in nearly every aspect of life can largely be attributed to the rise of the internet.”

She continued, “This forum offers an opportunity to propose ideas for ensuring the sustainability of digital policies, while also exploring innovative strategies to minimize inefficiency, promote digital inclusiveness, and build capacity to address the challenges posed by the internet.”

Madam Akanvariba, who chairs the MAG, emphasized their vision for the country: to establish a strong, inclusive digital ecosystem in Ghana, where all citizens can actively participate and benefit from the internet.

“This initiative will focus on bridging the digital divide, promoting responsible online behavior, and empowering Ghanaian stakeholders to shape the nation’s digital future through open dialogue and policy engagement,” she assured.

New York, Mar. 14, (dpa/GNA) – Dozens of people demonstrated inside Trump Tower in New York City against the arrest and planned deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student who played a leading role in last year’s pro-Gaza protests on the campus of Columbia University.

Jewish Voice for Peace, an organization that advocates for Palestinian rights, said on social media: “Police arrested hundreds of protestors including Jewish elders, descendants of Holocaust survivors, and students, dragging them out of a sit-in at Trump Tower by their arms and legs.”

The demonstrators demanded, among other things, Khalil’s release, as could be seen on livestreams and in images published on social media.

According to media reports, the police ended the unannounced sit-in in the lobby of Trump Tower, a high-rise building in the middle of Manhattan where US President Donald Trump used to have his main residence.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) said that some 150 people dressed in civilian clothes entered the building on Thursday morning and then removed their outer clothing to reveal red t-shirts with pro-Palestinian slogans.

“We ended up making 98 arrests of people trespassing, obstructing governmental administration in this building,” NYPD Chief of Department John Chell said.

US immigration officials forced their way into Khalil’s flat on Sunday and detained him, according to media reports. He was later taken to a detention centre in the US state of Louisiana, which lies some 2,000 kilometres away from New York.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters in a briefing that Khalil, a student at Columbia, distributed propaganda for Palestinian militant organization Hamas, claiming that he “sided with terrorists.”

Leavitt also said Khalil organized protest groups that disrupted classes and “harassed Jewish American students and made them feel unsafe.”

The spokeswoman said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio “reserves the right to revoke the visa of Mahmoud Khalil,” adding that he has a right to do so for “individuals who are adversarial to the foreign policy and national security interests of the USA.”

A court had initially blocked Khalil’s deportation to allow time for a ruling, according to media reports.

Khalil, who, according to the New York Times, is married to a US citizen who is eight months pregnant, has an unlimited US residence permit, his lawyer says.

GNA

Professor Peter Quartey, economist and Executive Director of ISSER

The Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), Professor Peter Quartey, has questioned the urgency behind the government’s move to return to the international capital market.

Speaking with the media in Accra on March 14, 2025, Prof. Quartey emphasised the need for a more pragmatic approach to external borrowing, arguing that accumulating debt is unsustainable.

According to him, Ghana’s deficit financing stood at 3.2% of GDP in 2023, with the 2024 figure projected to rise to 5.2% of GDP.

“I want to sound this caution: borrow less from the capital market and at reasonable interest rates. These days, you hear that we want to go to the capital market. After the restructuring, you hear that we are hoping to finish the process soon and be able to return to the capital market.

“But why the rush? That is where we went before, and now we are facing these problems. Yet, we still want to quickly finish giving people a haircut and return to the capital market. I think we should tread cautiously when it comes to borrowing, especially through Eurobonds and other capital market funds.

“They are too expensive and unsustainable. We ought to shy away from them. Instead, let us focus on mobilizing more multilateral and domestic sources of funding because they are cheaper,” Professor Peter Quartey stated.

SSD/MA

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:

Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel