Dr. Vladimir Danso justifies Captain Ibrahim Traoré's presence at Mahama's inauguration

International relations expert and security analyst, Dr. Vladimir Antwi Danso, has defended the invitation of Burkina Faso’s Head of State, Capt Ibrahim Traoré, to the inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of President John Dramani Mahama.

In an interview with News Central on TV3 on January 8, 2025, Dr. Danso explained that the invitation was rooted in Ghana's foreign policy principles, particularly good neighbourliness.

"No country has the right to dictate the governance or ideology. If we invite the Head of State of another country, it is because one of the core principles of our foreign policy is good neighbourliness," he added.

Dr. Danso further questioned the validity of arguments against the invitation by comparing it to international relations with countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, or Iraq, which may not align with Western democratic ideals but still maintain diplomatic relations with the United States.

"Are we saying that Saudi Arabia, which is a theocracy, or Iran or Iraq or Syria - any of those Middle Eastern countries which are not democratic in the sense of the democracy, we know that we can't invite them? Why would America have a link with Saudi Arabia, for example, if indeed or Bahrain or Kuwait, even though they don't have the type of democracy that America has? So, for me the argument is not here nor there. We have every right to invite Burkina Faso's head of state because it is the head of state of Burkina Faso, and he has the sovereign right to be here.

"So, the debate is not whether we are a democratic country we should invite, or we shouldn't invite. We are inviting him as Head of State, respected by his own people. His own people have not chosen him the way we chose ours, but his own people have confidence in him and he's the head of state of the country anyway, whether you like it or not," he noted.

Dr. Danso clarified that Burkina Faso's participation in the inauguration did not have significant implications for Ghana’s governance.

He maintained that sovereign countries should be respected, regardless of their political circumstances.

"Ghana does not clone ECOWAS. They will say once you have left ECOWAS, we don't have to have any dealings with you. Absolutely not. It is their own country and what they do with their country is not our concern. What concerns us is that there should be peace, economic, trade, and bilateral or political relations with any country that is in the world. That's one of the pillars of our foreign policy," he added.

Dr. Danso also suggested that the presence of Burkina Faso’s leader at the event could serve as a catalyst for enhancing diplomatic discussions within the ECOWAS region.

"But for the ECOWAS sub region and the conversations to have these countries return, I believe this and his appearance with the ECOWAS chair, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, all present yesterday will be a booster of some sort," he explained.

Some critics have raised concerns regarding a security lapse during the inauguration of the president, where Ibrahim Traoré, reportedly armed, was allowed to approach Mahama to congratulate him.

They have questioned the adequacy of security protocols during high-profile events and whether such lapses could have significant consequences.

JKB/AE

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