Tensions erupted when James Agalga, the committee’s vice chairman, voiced his displeasure with chairman Samuel Atta Akyea during the proceedings of the special parliamentary committee tasked with investigating the leaked tape regarding a plot to remove Inspector General of Police James Agalga.
According to sources within the committee, Mr. Agalga was obviously upset with Mr. Atta Akyea’s conduct throughout the meeting.
The tipping point was when Mr. Atta Akyea reportedly rejected Mr. Agalga’s recommendation that the committee strictly adhere to its terms of reference.
“Mr. Chairman, you can’t disregard my input like that. If you prefer I’m not part of this committee, I am prepared to step down,” the lawmaker reportedly asserted.
Mr. Eric Opoku, a different committee member, had to step in and convince Mr. Agalga to take his seat again and continue taking part in the proceedings.
Additionally, Chairman Atta Akyea barred members of the Police Management Board from entering the committee session during the same hearing, preventing them from supporting the Inspector General of Police.
The primary goal of the committee is to look into the information on the tape that was leaked, which is said to contain conversations about the removal of the IGP between three senior police officers and a politician. Their alleged motivation was the IGP’s opposition to the planned election rigging in 2024.
Relatedly, IGP George Akuffo-Dampare of Ghana is represented by attorney Kwame Gyan, who has leveled serious accusations against Mr. Samuel Atta-Akyea, the chairman of a 7-member ad hoc committee tasked with looking into a recently leaked contentious audio.
Lawyer Kwame Gyan expressed his concerns regarding Mr. Atta-Akyea’s behavior in an interview with Joy News, claiming that the committee chairman was making unfavorable remarks that might jeopardize the impartiality of the investigation.
The handling of the case by Mr. Atta-Akyea, who is also the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, has drawn significant criticism.
