In a surprising turn of events, the retired police commissioner at the center of a leaked tape scandal, COP George Alex Mensah (Rtd), has claimed that the incident has been a blessing to him, contrary to what one might expect. The leaked tape revealed an alleged plot to have the Inspector General of Police (IGP), COP George Akuffo Dampare, removed from office.
COP Alex Mensah (Retd) retired on September 18, 2023, after a 31-year career in the police service. In the leaked tape, he was heard making derogatory comments about Dr. Dampare’s administration and suggesting that he would not support the governing party if the IGP remained in office until the 2024 elections. He was accompanied by another senior police officer, Superintendent George Asare, and former Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bugri Naabu, who admitted to recording the conversation.
COP Alex Mensah (Retd) appeared before a parliamentary committee investigating the contents of the tape and made further claims about the IGP, describing him as the worst IGP the service has ever had.
During an interview on PM Express, COP Alex Mensah (Retd) stated that the entire episode has been a blessing to him. He expressed that the scandal had brought him widespread recognition and support from his community and friends abroad. He said, “My friends who have not heard from me for years are calling me from the U.S., U.K., and Germany everywhere.”
When asked if the scandal had been a blessing, he responded, “It has it so many ways. At least now, it has made the public aware that something is not going on well in the Ghana Police Service.”
COP Alex Mensah (Retd) insisted that the leaked conversation was private and that the focus should be on whoever leaked the conversation, not on those who were having normal discussions. He maintained that the conversation was taken out of context and doctored to serve a malicious agenda.
As the parliamentary committee continues to investigate the matter and prepare its report, COP Alex Mensah (Retd) seems to maintain a defiant stance and sees the scandal as a means to draw attention to issues within the Ghana Police Service.