The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has suggested that Richard Jakpa, the Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, should be removed from leading operations involving searches on former government appointees.

Pratt specifically noted that Jakpa may be harboring some emotional pain related to his recent prosecution in the ambulance trial, where he was acquitted of all charges brought against him by the former NPP government.

“Richard Jakpa is officially an executive of the National Security Secretariat, which is his professional role. However, there are important concerns we need to address. Recently, Jakpa was in court facing prosecution, a situation that many of us spoke out against. I believe that Jakpa may still be carrying some emotional pain from the events surrounding the prosecution,” he said on Peace FM on March 25, 2025.

The veteran broadcaster expressed concern that the past incidents involving Jakpa could undermine his work and potentially be used against him, diminishing the effectiveness and credibility of his actions.

“These past incidents could potentially affect his work, as some might interpret his actions as being driven by a desire for vengeance or personal pain,” he added.

Kwesi Pratt emphasised that removing Jakpa from leading such operations would help address and prevent concerns about his actions, which some have termed as witch-hunting and vengeance, especially in relation to the approach taken during these sanctioned searches.

“While he is not a bad person, I believe that given his history, it would be wise for him to be removed from leading and conducting certain operations. This would help eliminate perceptions of prejudice and prevent any accusations of witch-hunting. I am not undermining his job as an expert but for common sense to prevail and for the good of the operations,” he proposed.

Richard Jakpa has faced scrutiny from some lawmakers and public officials regarding his approach during searches at the residences of some former government officials.

He led special operations at the private residences of former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and most recently at the home of former Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr Ernest Addison.

MAG/AE

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