PLEASE ACCEPT GUATANAMO BAY DETAINEES! CHIEF IMAM PLEADS

The National Chief Imam Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu is calling on all Ghanaians to accept the decision by government to bring in two Guantanamo Bay detainees into the country. The position is in sharp contrast with calls by some security experts, civil society groups, and various Christian groups including the Christian Council asking government to return the two detainees.

But spokesperson of the Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu told Joy News Ghanaians must help men who have had their human rights violated, re-integrated into society. “From the responses that we got and from the considerations of the Muslim side, we are satisfied by those explanations, and we appreciate the government’s compassion, we appreciate the fairness of government,” he said. Persons opposed to the two being in Ghana also faulted government for not prioritizing the security of its citizens before making a decision on the two. But Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu pointed out, “We appreciate that government is a responsible government that would not plunge Ghana into any security crisis.

“On humanitarian grounds it is possible for us to be able to reintegrate any person that has a history of crime, but once that person has given up his criminal attribute, his humanity must be respected… Our religion considers that, compassion to anyone who is in need is a duty.” The spokesperson for the Chief Imam also reiterated that once the detainees are “looking for a place to change their lives, I think it is important we give consideration to that”.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Hannah Tetteh has brushed off threats of legal action against government’s decision to shelter the two ex-Guantanamo Bay detainees. According to her, the decision to bring in the two Yemenis was arrived at after the President and National Security satisfied themselves that the two posed no threat. Some groups and individuals have threatened to sue government over its decision, arguing the national interest was not considered. The opposition NPP has accused government of violating Ghana’s Terrorism Act by accommodating the ex-detainees. Others have questioned why Parliament was not consulted first.