Tenure of security heads: Officers appointed by previous gov’t are not trusted by new regime – ACP Agordzo (rtd.)
Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Agordzo has shed light on the challenges faced by heads of security services appointed by previous governments when a new regime comes into power.
Speaking on Ghana Tonight on Tuesday, March 12, ACP Agordzo acknowledged the difficulty for such officials to gain the trust of a new administration, often leading to their dismissal or resignation.
He highlighted instances where previous Inspector Generals of Police (IGPs) approached newly elected presidents to express their desire to step down from their positions, citing a lack of trust from the new government.
According to ACP Agordzo, this lack of trust makes it challenging for officials appointed by a previous administration to effectively serve under a new government.
In light of these challenges, ACP Agordzo advocated for a complete constitutional amendment to address the issue. He proposed establishing clear criteria for appointment, termination, and tenure of security service heads to ensure non-partisanship in their selection and continuity across administrations.
He cited the example of Kenya, where a police commission shortlists candidates for the president to select from, fostering confidence in the leadership of the Inspector General of Police.
This discussion arose in response to a lawsuit filed by IMANI Africa and Prof. Kwesi Aning at the Supreme Court seeking to prevent the President from dismissing heads of certain security services with each change in government.
The petitioners expressed concerns about the practice of new governments removing specific institution leaders before they reach the statutory retirement age, emphasizing the need for institutional continuity and non-partisanship in security service leadership appointments.
