Ex-Gitmo detainees: Ephson hails Akufo-Addo’s quietness

Pollster Ben Ephson has hailed the New Patriotic Party’s Flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for restraining himself of any comment on the raging debate surrounding the two cleared terrorist suspects of Yemeni origin in Ghana.

Ephson said Akufo-Addo has since not commented on the controversial issue gaining currency in the Ghanaian media because he [Akufo-Addo] understands the nuances in International politics and diplomacy.

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has demanded accountability from government over the two Guantanamo detainees who have been sent to Ghana.

A statement issued and signed by Acting General Secretary, John Boadu this week said the party shared the deep anxiety and fears of the Ghanaian people over the resettlement of the two former terrorist detainees – Mahmud Umar Muhammed Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammed Salih Al-Dhuby in Ghana.

“We are concerned that the decision was made without any consultation whatsoever with Parliament, political parties and other stakeholders, the statement added.

Speaking on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.3 FM on Wednesday, the Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch said he [Akufo-Addo] is very tactful not to play politics around International diplomacy, eventhough it was possible for the largest opposition party to have descended into the politics of the day by using the issue as a major propaganda tool ahead of the November polls.

“The party would have strategized to campaign on the basis that if Ghanaians vote for them, they will return the Yemeni nationals to their home country, but Nana Addo understanding diplomacy will throw away such politics” Ephson argued.