In the lead-up to the highly anticipated Assin North by-election in the Central Region, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has made serious allegations against the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi, has accused the IGP of intentionally exposing minority MPs to potential harm by disarming police officers assigned to protect them.

Dafeamekpor claimed that the IGP issued an order for police guards from the Parliamentary Protection Unit, assigned to minority MPs, to surrender their weapons to the local police command in the areas where they are stationed. He argued that this action violates the terms of service for MPs and suggested that such a decision should not be within the IGP’s authority. The MP made these remarks on June 26.

Speaking to JoyNews, Dafeamekpor alleged that the IGP’s instruction was clearly politically motivated. He expressed concern that without firearms, the police guards’ ability to protect the MPs would be compromised. Furthermore, he accused the IGP of displaying bias, claiming that MPs from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) still had armed police guards accompanying them, including some who had multiple weapons. He even alleged witnessing police vehicles transporting chairs to an NPP campaign center.

However, sources within the Ghana Police Service, as reported by JoyNews, stated that the recall of firearms from MPs’ bodyguards is a routine security measure taken by the IGP during such events. They emphasized that the recall only affects the AK-47 rifles, while the guards still retain their pistols. The sources strongly denied any bias, asserting that both minority and majority MPs are subject to the same disarmament procedure. Additionally, they clarified that ministers who also serve as MPs are exempt from this directive, and their police guards are allowed to keep all their weapons.

As the Assin North by-election approaches, these allegations against the IGP have sparked debate and raised concerns about the safety and security of minority MPs participating in the electoral process.