Minister for National Security Albert Kan-Dapaah has admitted to dispatching a team to the Ashanti Region to kick out former Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, DCOP Opare Addo (Rtd.) from office.
According to him, the DCOP refused to vacate his office after his contract was terminated and also refused numerous invitations from the National Security Coordinator to explain his refusal to leave the office.
He stated that since the DCOP invariably refused to hand over to his successor, it became expedient to dispatch the team to take care of the problem in Kumasi.
The National Security Minister made this disclosure during question time in Parliament on Wednesday when he responded to a question that stood in the name of MP for South Dayi, Mr. Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamekpor.
He was to explain circumstances under which DCOP Opare Addo was assaulted in his office.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah disclosed that DCOP Opare Addo was given a three-year contract to serve as the Ashanti Regional Security Liaison Officer, which took effect from January 1, 2020, and was to expire on December 31st 2022.
However, the “appointment was terminated on February 19, 2021 by the National Security Coordinator. Upon determination of his contract, Mr. Speaker, DCOP Opare Addo was paid his severance per his appointment letter,” he told Parliament.
Mr Kan-Dapaah added that, “Subsequent to the termination of his appointment, the Ministry appointed Colonel Francis Arthur (rtd) as the new Ashanti Regional Security Liaison officer.
“The Colonel’s appointment took effect from 1st May 2021. But he (Opare-Addo) refused to hand over to Colonel Francis Arthur.
“He then declined numerous invitations from the National Security Coordinator to explain his refusal to vacate the office.
“Against this backdrop, personnel from the Ministry of National Security were dispatched to the Ashanti Region on 11th May 2021 to ascertain the reason for DCOP Opare-Addo’s refusal to vacate his office, and if it became necessary to change the locks of the door to his office.
“On arrival, the personnel duly introduced themselves but were met with acts of hostility from DCOP Opare Addo, including drawing his sidearm. The personnel managed to restrain him and retrieved the sidearm”.
According to him, the continuous stay in office of Mr. Opare-Addo obstructed the work of the new regional security coordinator and necessitated stringent action.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah denied suggestions the former Coordinator was assaulted in his office by personnel from the Ministry and indicated that DCOP Opare-Addo has since not officially made a complaint either to his immediate supervisor, the National Security Coordinator or to the Sector Minister in respect of any alleged assault on him.
“Neither has the minister of national security received any correspondence from the police in relation to the allegations.”
“I will want to assure the House of our willingness to investigate the incident should any official complaint be made by DCOP Opare-Addo,” Mr. Dapaah said.
