In a scathing Facebook post, Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, NDC Director of Legal and CEO of the National Petroleum Authority, has lambasted Franklin Cudjoe, founder of policy think tank IMANI Africa, over his recent court action to prevent President John Dramani Mahama from dismissing the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare.
According to Edudzi Tameklo, “The law suit was poorly timed. It created the impression that you are behind it. You try to gag the Appointing Authority. Bad move.”
He emphasized that the President has the constitutional power to appoint and dismiss key public officers, including the IGP.
Edudzi Tameklo’s comments come after IMANI Africa and security analyst Kwesi Aning jointly filed an injunction at the Supreme Court to prevent the President from dismissing Dampare.
The plaintiffs argued that the President does not have the power to make fresh appointments to these positions unless the current officeholders are deceased, incapacitated, or have resigned.
However, Edudzi Tameklo disagreed with this stance, stating that the President’s authority cannot be gagged by the courts.
He argued that the President has the constitutional mandate to make appointments and dismissals, and that the courts should not interfere with this process.
The case has been adjourned by the Supreme Court, with the Attorney-General given seven days to file a defence.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
