PRESIDENT JOHN MAHAMA ASSURES GHANAIANS OF SAFETY IN THE COUNTRY

President John Mahama has assured Ghanaians of their safety despite  the entry into Ghana of the two Guantanamo Bay detainees. The  President says due diligence was done before the ex-detainees were allowed into the country, hence they are not a threat to the security to the country.   Speaking at a press briefing at the Flag staff house, the President noted that being the commander of the Ghana Armed Force,  the safety and security of this country remains the greatest concern and he will not take any decision that will jeopardize the safety and security of the country. “This is a beneficial relationship and I believe that we should calm the hysteria and phobia. Ghana will continue to receive God’s favour and be a safe place,” he said. The arrival of Mahmud Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby for a two-year stay as part of a deal reached between the United States of America and the Government of Ghana has generated a lot of public uproar. The two, suspected to have links with terrorist group Al-Qaeda, have been in detention for 14 years after being picked up in Afghanistan. Their suspected links to this terrorist group make government’s case even worse. Many people believe the ex-detainees may be used as a conduit for future terrorist attack on Ghana. However the President says this argument is flawed. He said together with the National Security, and government of the United States, it was ensured that the two detainees pose the least risk to Ghana. H “When America asked, we decided to do an assessment. America did same and gave us their risk category…it was the lowest. It has also been established that they played no operational role in Afganistan. “Our own national security visited the camp several times and conducted extensive assessment and interview of these detainees before they were brought here,” he said. President Mahama said there is no need to be alarmed since the ex-prisoners will be monitored  and cannot plan anything sinister under the watchful eye of the security agencies.  Adding that" having them in Ghana gives the country an opportunity to monitor them and this will be done with the help from the US government". President Mahama noted that government  took this decision after a lot of assessment and consultation. He indicated that " the point about terrorism is that what you should fear is what you don’t know not what you know. “Indeed, any Ghanaian is more in danger of dying from road accident than from these Guantanamo detainees because they are with our security service and they are under surveillance. What we should fear is someone coming in to create havoc,” he added. The President urged Ghanaians to show compassion to these two detainees who want  to live a normal life and assist in making this desire possible. President Mahama stressed "Several countries have done it and I do not think that we should feel ashamed for doing it.  He said the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Hannah Tetteh will continue to meet religious and other groups in the country to assure them of the safety of the country.  President Mahama in his conclusion entreated the citizenry to listen to each other irrespective of their tribes, religion or political affiliation.  This he noted is the best way to solve problems thereby leading to progress in society.