Retired police officer ACP Benjamin Agordzo

Retired police officer, ACP Benjamin Agordzo has spoken to some ills in the Ghana Police Service and how he became a victim of such, while he was in active service.

Speaking in an insightful interview with Kwesi Pratt Jr on Pan African TV, on July 13, 2025, ACP Benjamin Agordzo delved into the origins of his five-year trial for an alleged coup, revealing not only the personal challenges he faced but also his enduring commitment to systemic reform within the Ghana Police Service.

Agordzo recounted an incident that exemplified the internal pressures and political interference he encountered in the police service.

He recounted how he was dismissed from the service and later reinstated but demoted for preventing a powerful woman from using a route he deemed a security zone while he served in the police service in Bolgatanga.

He explained that the issue began after he confronted an influential "big woman who was powerful and politically inclined" over the improper use of a barrier.

His attempt to have the barrier closed led to his suspension in Bolgatanga by the commander in charge.

According to him, this incident, he explained, was a precursor to further attempts to remove him from the service.

He highlighted the crucial role played by a figure in the police service he identified as Madam Robertson, who "refused to sign my dismissal."

Agordzo said despite Madam Robertson's resistance, "certain people were corrupted to proceed with my removal."

Ultimately, due to a prevailing disinclination towards court proceedings for such internal matters at the time, the decision was reverted to a reduction in rank rather than an outright dismissal.

Agordzo expressed profound gratitude to Madam Robertson in the police service for standing firm for him during that time.

Beyond his personal struggles, ACP Agordzo emphasised the broader impact of his actions and advocacy.

"Thanks to my outspokenness and inspiration, now there are police platforms where they are able to speak their minds now. It may not directly benefit me but it has benefitted other police officers," he noted.

Agordzo also offered a trenchant critique of the deeply rooted issue of political vigilantism in Ghana.

“This problem cannot end until the 1992 Constitution is changed to alter appointment of IGP by the executive," he asserted.

"Until the power to appoint the IGP by the Executive is revised, they cannot speak against the person that feeds them," he said.

He argued that the current system, where the Inspector General of Police (IGP)'s appointment by the executive branch can compromise the independence and impartiality of the police force, making it difficult for officers to act without political influence as well as in recruitment processes.

ACP Benjamin Agordzo's interview with Kwesi Pratt painted a picture of a principled officer who, despite facing a protracted legal battle and institutional resistance, remains a steadfast advocate for police reform and constitutional change.

Background

The late Dr Mac-Palm together with two others; Ezor Kafui and Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu, was on Friday, September 20, 2019, picked up by a joint team from the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) and the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) for plotting a coup against the presidency with the intent to destabilise the country.

The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, in a press release revealed how state agencies detected and foiled a planned attack on the Jubilee House leading to the retrieval of several arms, explosive devices, and ammunition from Alajo and Bawaleshie in Accra and Dodowa respectfully.

Following the alleged coup attempt, the three accused persons were, September 24 arraigned before the Kaneshie District Court and slapped with five charges.

Some of the charges they’re faced with are conspiracy to commit crimes; to wit manufacturing of arms and ammunition without lawful authority, possessing explosives and firearms without lawful excuse, and manufacture of firearms without lawful authority.

However, the Kaneshie District Court presided over by the magistrate, Rosemond Dodua Agyiri, has remanded the alleged coup plotters into BNI custody and ordered that family members and lawyers be allowed to visit the accused persons.

This follows after the prosecutor, ASP Sylvester Asare asked the court to remand the three suspects into BNI custody to enable them to continue with investigations smoothly.

A three-member panel of judges of an Accra High Court has discharged and acquitted Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Agordzo, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli and one other junior military officer, Corporal Seidu Abubakar.

ACP Agordzo and the other military personnel were among the ten (10) alleged coup plotters on counts of conspiracy to commit high treason and committing high treason.

VPO/EB

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