The ruling National Democratic Congress(NDC) has challenged the largest opposition Leader and Flag bearer of New Patriotic Party(NPP) Nana Akufo Addo, to make his position known to Ghanaians on the decision by government to shelter two ex Guatanamo Bay Cell detainees at in Ghana.
According to Communications Director of the party, Solomon Nkansah, it is important that Nana Addo who wants to become President is heard on what decision he would have taken if he were to be confronted with the situation upon assuming power.
Mahmoud Omar Mohammed Bin Atef,36, and Khalid Shayk Mohammed, 34 – are in Ghana at the behest of the US government. They will be in Ghana for two years at the cost of the US authorities.
The public including faith-based organizations have condemned government’s move to house the two who are viewed by many Ghanaians as a security threat but government insists the two pose no threat to the country, as the US will help provide the necessary security support to monitor them.
Addressing a media encounter at the seat of government, the Flagstaff House, President John Mahama stated that Ghana is not the only country to have accepted to accommodate former detainees, citing Uganda, Cape Verde, Uruguay, and France as some of the countries being benevolent.
He questioned why Ghanaians have suddenly failed to make good their faith based compassion and hospitality which the good people of Ghana are well noted for.
“We must also look at the side of compassion. I am a Christian, and the Bible teaches us to be compassionate to prisoners… that is even persons who have been convicted, these people were not convicted and so where is our Christian passion or where is our faith based compassion on people that after being detained for 14 years without trial, we cannot find it in our hearts to give these people at least a chance to re-start their lives, and so there has been no consideration received for accepting these detainees.”
But the NPP in a statement condemned the government’s decision to accommodate the two former detainees and further demanded accountability from government over the two.
“We are concerned that the decision was made without any consultation whatsoever with Parliament, political parties and other stakeholders.”
However speaking on Si Me So on Kasapa FM, Solomon Nkansah stated that it if Nana Akufo Addo wants Ghanaians to take him seriously, then he should speak publicly on the matter.
“If Nana says he is a brave man and believes President John Mahama has committed an unpardonable crime by accepting the two ex detainees to be housed in Ghana, then he should boldly tell us what he would have done as President. Just as Nana Akufo Addo challenged former President Mills that, he(Nana) would have sent Ghanaian soldiers to fight in Côte d’Ivoire, we dare him to speak now.”
Kasapafm Online
