Nana Ewusi Kwansah, a columnist for Ghanaweb, has asserted that the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr. Calistus Mahama, should resign for his role in what he believe to be a communication blunder in the letter directed to IGP Dampare.
In a post shared on Facebook on 11th January, 2025, He wrote;
“The recent developments surrounding the directive from the Office of the President to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) have brought to light a concerning lapse in governance and communication.
The directive, which was intended to seek an update on the status of investigations into the tragic killings of Ghanaians during the 2020 and 2024 elections, has instead spiralled into a controversy over misrepresentation, institutional credibility, and potential misuse of authority.
I seek to unpack the layers of this issue, argue for accountability, and urge the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr. Calistus Mahama, Ph.D., to resign for his role in this communication blunder.
At the core of this issue lies a directive from the President to his Executive Secretary, asking that the IGP furnish the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government with the status of investigations into the deaths of Ghanaians during two critical election cycles.
This directive was straightforward and unambiguous, reflecting the President’s commitment to ensuring transparency and justice. However, in an inexplicable turn of events, the Executive Secretary issued a formal letter to the IGP, suggesting a completely different narrative. This letter requested the establishment of an investigative team and indicated that the government would provide full support for such an initiative.
This glaring distortion of the President’s intent raises several critical questions: Was this a mere oversight or a deliberate attempt to manipulate the narrative? What motivations might have driven the Executive Secretary to alter the directive so drastically? These are questions that demand answers, not only from the Executive Secretary himself but also from the Presidency as a whole.
The implications of this communication misstep have been far-reaching. The misrepresented directive has not only caused confusion within the police fraternity but has also provided the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, with an opportunity to leverage the situation to his advantage.
By framing the directive as a Presidential endorsement of his leadership, Dampare has further muddied the waters, creating a narrative that serves his personal ambitions rather than the national interest.
Dampare’s actions in circulating the directive widely on social media platforms such as WhatsApp have compounded the problem. This move, interpreted by many as a public relations exercise, has diverted attention away from the serious task of addressing the killings and has instead turned the spotlight onto Dampare himself.
The IGP’s decision to treat this directive as a tool for self-promotion rather than a solemn mandate to pursue justice is deeply troubling and calls into question his suitability for the role.
The role of an Executive Secretary to the President is one of immense responsibility. As the primary communicator of the President’s directives, the Executive Secretary must exercise the highest levels of precision, integrity, and accountability. Dr. Calistus Mahama’s actions in this instance have fallen woefully short of these standards.
By distorting the President’s directive, Dr. Mahama has not only undermined the credibility of the Office of the President but has also compromised the integrity of the investigation into these tragic events. His failure to accurately convey the President’s intent has sown confusion, eroded trust in the Presidency, and opened the door for opportunism within the police service.
This incident raises broader concerns about the governance structures within the Presidency. Is this an isolated case of negligence, or does it point to a systemic failure in how critical communications are managed?
The fact that such a significant directive could be so poorly handled suggests deeper issues within the administrative machinery of the Office of the President. This calls for an urgent review of internal processes and protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The stakes in this matter are extraordinarily high. The tragic deaths of Ghanaians during the 2020 and 2024 elections represent not just a national tragedy but also a scar on the democratic fabric of the country. The families of the victims deserve justice, and the public deserves assurance that such incidents will never be repeated. These objectives can only be achieved if the investigation is conducted with the utmost integrity, transparency, and impartiality.
However, the misrepresentation of the President’s directive has cast a shadow over the entire process. It has created the perception that the investigation is being used as a political tool rather than a genuine effort to uncover the truth. This perception undermines public confidence in the investigation and, by extension, in the institutions responsible for carrying it out.
In light of these developments, it is imperative that those responsible for this communication blunder are held accountable. Accountability is not just a matter of principle; it is a cornerstone of effective governance.
The Executive Secretary to the President must take full responsibility for his actions and step down from his position. His resignation would send a strong signal that such lapses in communication will not be tolerated and would help restore confidence in the Office of the President. Dr. Calistus Mahama’s resignation is not just a necessary step toward restoring credibility; it is a crucial affirmation of the values of transparency, accountability, and justice that must underpin governance in Ghana.
Moreover, the Presidency must take immediate steps to clarify the original directive and reaffirm its commitment to a transparent and impartial investigation. This would involve issuing a public statement to set the record straight and outlining the steps being taken to ensure that justice is served.
Source: Nana Ewusi Kwansah
